On May 25, the 2025 China · Sanmenxia Crossing the Mother River Event kicked off at Sanhe Square in the Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park.
With the theme “Mainstay and Happy Yellow River,” the 30th Sanmenxia Yellow River Cultural Tourism Festival and Central China Characteristic Commodity Expo Fair (hereinafter referred to as “One Festival and One Expo”) was held from May 17 to 25. Guests from all over the country came to visit Sanmenxia.
Culture is the most enduring force for far-reaching influence. As one of the longest-running, most influential, and most widely participated comprehensive festivals in the Yellow River Basin, the Sanmenxia Yellow River Cultural Tourism Festival has been successfully held 30 times. It has become a golden brand for Sanmenxia in promoting Yellow River culture, advancing the integration of culture and tourism, and deepening regional cooperation.
As an important window for Sanmenxia’s opening-up and a key platform for investment attraction, the Central China Characteristic Commodity Expo Fair (formerly known as the China Characteristic Commodity Expo Fair) has been held several times since 2012. It has become a leading regional expo fair with wide influence and high reputation nationwide.
This year’s One Festival and One Expo closely centered on ecological protection and the high-quality development strategy of the Yellow River Basin, with the preservation, inheritance, and promotion of Yellow River culture as its main theme, and a focus on the deep integration of cultural tourism and cultural creativity. Nine main events and seven related activities have sparked a new wave of cultural tourism, continuously enhancing the city’s brand of “the Yellow River Sanmenxia, a Beautiful Swan City,” fully showcasing the beauty of Sanmenxia’s landscapes, the charm of its culture, and the momentum of its development.
This is a journey of searching for the root across time and space.
On the evening of May 19, the launch ceremony of the 2025 China Tourism Day Henan main venue event, along with the opening ceremony of the 30th Sanmenxia Yellow River Cultural Tourism Festival and Central China Characteristic Commodity Expo Fair was held, marking the beginning of a grand cultural tourism extravaganza featuring a wide range of activities including sports events, artistic performances, technological interactions, and culinary experiences.
This year is the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the planning year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It’s also a critical year for promoting the deep integration of culture and tourism and enabling high-quality development.
With Yellow River culture as the bond and innovative formats as the vehicle, the event showcases the fruitful achievements in ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. It promotes the Yellow River Spirit of “unity, pragmatism, pioneering, hard work, and dedication,” enabling the world to meet Sanmenxia, see Henan, and understand China. The One Festival and One Expo thus carries special and significant meaning.
Start from the Root and the River.
That evening, the 10th Yellow River Chorus titled “Soul of the Yellow River · Root of the Pillar” resonated deeply with the audience. Five grand and powerful movements, including “Ode to the Red Flag”, “Soul of the Yellow River”, “People along the Yellow River”, “Root of the Pillar” and “Heart of China”, took them on a cultural journey tracing the origin of the Yellow River culture.
As an important cradle of Chinese civilization and a pillar city that protects the Mother River and inherits the spirit of the Yellow River in the new era, Sanmenxia has always placed great importance on protecting, inheriting and promoting the Yellow River culture. From the passionate melody of the “Yellow River Chorus” to the cultural tourism promotion of “Walking along the Yellow River”; from the ingenious inheritance of the intangible cultural heritage workshops to the digitally empowered cloud exhibitions; from carefully building the boutique tourist route of “Nine-bend Yellow River Bay · Searching for the Root of the Civilization” to actively integrating into the brand of “Walking in Henan · Understanding China”, the Yellow River culture has always resonated with the development of the times and continued to radiate new vitality.
This is a two-way exploring journey.
Taking the path of “cultural tourism＋”, we strive to promote cultural tourism integration and industrial linkage at the same time, and build a higher level of open economy.
On May 20, the Central China Characteristic Commodity Expo Fair opened, attracting over 200 exhibitors from more than 10 countries and 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) across the country, fully demonstrating the vitality of the modernized Sanmenxia.
This year’s expo features eight exhibition zones with 252 planned booths covering an area of 7,000 square meters, including the Sanmenxia exhibition area, Central China famous and excellent enterprises exhibition area, RCEP imported commodity exhibition area, Belt and Road exhibition area, special agricultural products exhibition area, special food exhibition area, specialty cultural tourism products exhibition area, and geographical indication products exhibition area. The expo precisely builds a platform for supply-demand matching and business pairing, leveraging the gathering effect of the event to increase market supply and promote regional economic and trade cooperation.
Focusing on quality and distinctiveness, the Central China Characteristic Commodity Expo Fair is rapidly becoming a leading brand in Henan’s exhibition economy and is recognized as a premier commodity expo in Central China with considerable influence and prestige nationwide.
Economic and trade activities are an important support for the One Festival and One Expo.
On May 19, a meeting for trade and economic matchmaking between Sanmenxia and South Korean enterprises was held, providing a platform for international exchange and expanding opportunities for international cooperation. This event promoted collaboration from multiple dimensions, including industrial cooperation and market expansion, injecting strong momentum into the city’s high-quality economic growth.
Since the beginning of this year, aligning with the latest international industry development and cutting-edge theories, and combining with the city’s key industrial sectors, Sanmenxia released 186 investment attraction projects in the first quarter through the Ministry of Commerce, the website of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the provincial investment attraction platform. Moreover, more than 140 new projects will be released soon.
Sanmenxia is building an inland open highland.
This is a journey of the renewal of cultural heritage.
Keeping pace with the times, empowering with digital technology, and making culture blossom with brilliance.
On May 20, the digital image of Lao Tzu, “A Dialogue Across Time and Space”, was launched globally for the first time, using digital technology to reshape the spirit of the sage, allowing Lao Tzu’s thought to transcend time and space, dialogue with the spirit of the times, and revitalize the modern expression of cultural heritage.
Through cutting-edge technologies such as AI, 3D modeling, and natural language interaction, the digital Lao Tzu embodies a vivid and interactive form of his philosophy-making the 2,500-year-old philosopher come alive beyond ancient classics and closely engage with the public. Visitors can immerse themselves in the Oriental wisdom of “the highest good is like water” and experience the timeless legend of “purple Qi coming from the east” in a blend of virtual and real worlds.
Additionally, online activities like the “Virtual Tour of Miaodigou” livestream, “Online Encounter with the State of Guo” livestream, and “Ancient Rhythms of Xiaohan Dance with New Trends” use AI to perfectly fuse modern technology with historical culture. These activities break the constraints of time and space to open up cultural exploration for visitors, transforming online traffic into visitors offline.
The deep integration of science, technology and culture has made the ancient Yellow River culture come alive and become fashionable.
This is a joyful journey shared by all.
Everything is for the people, and everything serves the people.
As a carefully created public-interest cultural program during the One Festival and One Expo, the 2025 Opera Week kicked off on May 20, using the expressive power of traditional opera to carry forward the Yellow River culture.
Over six consecutive days, popular classic repertoires including the Wenhua Award-winning Yuediao historical drama Lao Tzu, the Yuediao Capturing Jiang Wei, the Yu opera Mu Guiying Takes Command, and the Puju opera The Commoner Hero were staged. Featuring renowned troupes and artists, this opera week showcased the unique charm of Henan opera. We can see a new scene of cultural tourism integration of “traditional opera＋modern communication”, and “checking in with opera” became a new trend.
The Sanmenxia “Taste of the Yellow River” Food Week and the Yellow River Carp Cooking Demonstration drew crowds. Regional specialties like the Yellow River carp, Lingbao roujiamo, and Shanzhou’s traditional ten-dish banquet offered residents and visitors an unforgettable culinary journey that blends heritage and innovation, promoting the integrated development of catering and cultural tourism.
With a people-centered approach and a focus on shared enjoyment, One Festival and One Expo creates diverse scenes for a happy life where residents and visitors are not only participants but also beneficiaries.
During the event, a range of cultural tourism activities and benefit measures delighted the public. All A-level scenic spots across the city offered 50% discounts on first-entry tickets. The “Taste Yu Cuisine · Explore Xiaohan” activity was launched, dining coupons of white-list restaurants were issued, and meal and accommodation coupons were given free after visiting 4A scenic spots. Multiple discounts were offered on tourist attractions, dining, and accommodation. The “Night Rhythm of Jianhe River, Fashionable Cultural Expo Center” nighttime consumption activity was launched. The mode of “Cultural Tourism + Business” deeply integrates shopping, cultural experience, leisure and entertainment, and stimulates consumption enthusiasm with multiple scenes, so that visitors can have more fun and spend less.
Through cultural tourism as a bridge, Sanmenxia is painting a beautiful picture of a happy and fulfilling life.
This is an exploring journey of green ecology.
A good ecology fosters green power and sparks development vitality.
In recent years, Sanmenxia has adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in a New Era, closely focused on the strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Through the coordinated implementation of the “Ten-Hundred-Thousand-Ten Thousand-Billion” project, the city has advanced its efforts in protecting mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and sand. Emphasizing comprehensive, systematic, and source-based governance and high-quality ecological protection along the Yellow River, Sanmenxia has explored a distinctive path of eco-prioritized green development. This has given rise to a magnificent landscape of high gorges, tranquil lakes, and clear Yellow River.
During this year’s One Festival and One Expo, water sports events including the Mother River crossing and standup paddle competition were held in the clear Yellow River. A cycling invitational was also held along the hundred-mile ecological corridor. These activities allowed participants to experience the beauty of a clean river, green banks, and the harmonious coexistence of city and water, while also boosting the rapid development of the water and leisure economy, transforming ecological strengths into drivers of development.
From May 17 to 18, the 2025 China Standup Paddle Super League (Sanmenxia Station) and the 3rd “Shanzhou · Yellow River Cup” Standup Paddle Challenge, which combines the beauty of competition, ecology and humanity, was held. More than 600 athletes from 30 provinces (cities) across the country rode the waves on the mother river, writing a new chapter of sports for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.
On May 17, the 2025 Sanmenxia International Cycling Invitational along the Yellow River presented a wonderful “Fast and Furious” performance. More than 160 professional athletes and 800 cycling enthusiasts from all over the world deeply experienced the picturesque ecological corridor along the Yellow River and felt the harmonious resonance of historical culture and ecological civilization.
Fight to cross, fight to cross! What we are fighting for is the spirit of the Chinese nation that has been fighting tenaciously and striving to be the first for thousands of years.
On May 25, the highly anticipated 2025 China Sanmenxia Mother River Crossing event was successfully held, recreating the spectacular scene of thousands of people swimming across the river and tens of thousands watching. 5,000 swimmers cut through the waves and strove for the upper reaches, showing the ultimate charm of crossing the Mother River to the world.
As a vivid practice of the Yellow River Basin ecological protection and high-quality development strategy, the Sanmenxia Mother River Crossing event has built a bridge for harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and vividly tells the story of the Yellow River in the new era.
Go to a city for a sports event. Creatively linking sports events and the expo, Sanmenxia has promoted the deep integration of sports events and One festival and One Expo, and built a new cultural tourism ecology of “using festivals to promote sports events, and using sports events to promote tourism”.
Sports events link the Yellow River landscapes, artistic performances highlight cultural diversity, and everyday life radiates human warmth. One Festival and One Expo allows visitors from all corners to admire majestic mountains and rivers, understand Chinese stories through cultural immersion, and create unforgettable memories along a beautiful journey.
At the age of 30, we bid farewell to youthful immaturity and are full of vigor and vitality. With a poised and mature presence, One Festival and One Expo is opening up endless possibilities—accelerating the integration of “cultural tourism +” and “+cultural tourism” across industries, constantly shaping new tourism scenes, reconstructing new tourism formats, stimulating new tourism potential, and writing a new chapter of poetry and distance in Sanmenxia.
On April 5th, spring has arrived in all its splendor in the Haoyang section of Sanmenxia’s ecological corridor along the Yellow River. The crystal-clear waters ripple gently and the extensive ecological forest belts stretch out like green ribbons along the riverbanks.The interplay between the shimmering waters and the lush green ecological forest belts forms a picturesque scene.
In recent years, Sanmenxia has comprehensively promoted the strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, and has coordinated the ecological restoration, water system governance and the construction of public service facilities. The former loess gullies have been transformed into a 100-kilometer-long scenic corridor with “smooth rivers, clear water, green banks and beautiful scenery”.
On March 20th, the thousand-acre ancient apricot forest from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Beigou Village, Yangping Town, Lingbao City, presents a breathtaking spectacle. White and pink blossoms blanket the sandy slopes, as if they are a sea of flowers.
Strolling through the ancient apricot grove, the air is filled with the rich fragrance of apricot blossoms. Clusters of flowers burst into bloom on the branches, exuding an invigorating spring vitality. Under the warm sunlight and in the shade of greenery, the petals are as delicate as cicada wings, charming and beautiful. Visitors eagerly take photos to capture the beauty of this spring scenery, and enjoy the blissful moments amidst the apricot blossoms.
Located in a region with sandy soil that is loose, fertile, and expansive, Beigou Village enjoys ample sunlight and strong air circulation, which make it an ideal environment for the growth of apricot trees. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, local villagers have been extensively planting apricot trees here, and the high-quality apricot fruits have become well-known far and wide. At present, over 300 ancient apricot trees remain, with some dating back five to six hundred years. Every mid-to-late March, the slopes are covered with blooming apricot flowers, attracting a large number of tourists and photography enthusiasts to come for spring outings and flower appreciation, enjoying the beautiful spring scenery.
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