The 17th Sun Tzu Cultural Tourism Festival opened on Sept 10 in Guangrao county, Dongying city, East China's Shandong province.
Guangrao county is the birthplace of Sun Tzu – also known as Sun Wu, a renowned philosopher and military strategist of the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC) – and is known as the cradle of Sun Tzu culture.
Running through mid-October, the festival aims to provide a dynamic platform for cultural exchange, tourism, and educational exploration, while promoting the legacy of Sun Tzu and deepening the integration of culture and tourism in the region.
The opening ceremony featured large-scale theatrical performances, themed shows, and the festival's theme music, alongside animated promotions and presentations of Guangrao's cultural tourism highlights. Visitors also enjoyed immersive experiences at an exhibition demonstrating Sun Tzu's wisdom, gaining insights into his life, works, and enduring influence.
Actors clad in armor deliver an immersive performance. [Photo/WeChat account: okguangrao]
The event brought together nationally renowned Sun Tzu cultural scholars, Online Travel Agency (OTA) enterprises, cultural tourism influencers, and countless visitors to witness this cultural and tourism feast. Participants traced the historical roots of Sun Tzu culture, explored its contemporary relevance, and promoted harmony between traditional culture and modern life.
Since 2005, Guangrao county in Dongying has successfully hosted 16 previous festivals, using the event to creatively promote Sun Tzu culture and enhance the county's reputation as the historic birthplace of the famed strategist.
The 17th festival highlights Dongying's rich cultural heritage and tourism appeal, serving as a bridge between past and present, and connecting the local with the global. It showcases the city's vibrant cultural life while fostering economic growth through the synergy of culture and tourism.
The Sun Tzu Cultural Park is a key cultural attraction in Guangrao county, Dongying, highlighting the history and heritage of Sun Tzu. [Photo/WeChat account: okguangrao]
