As the National Day holiday approaches, Heze is integrating its ancient city culture, Water Margin heritage and intangible cultural heritage to enrich tourism offerings, driving a surge in cultural tourism-related spending.
In the ancient city of Caozhou, nightfall brings the area to life. Lion dances, boat parades, fish lantern processions and musical fountain shows entertain visitors, while intangible cultural heritage markets feature traditional crafts such as Caozhou dough figurines, Shandong brocade, and sugar blowing.
"The ancient city's lights are stunning, and the performances are excellent," said Zhang Huan, a tourist from outside the city.
Local vendors have seen a sharp rise in business. "Visitor numbers have surged, especially at night, and our specialty snack sales are much higher than usual," said Song Chunqin, a merchant.
At the Water Margin Heroes City in Yuncheng, staff have used crops such as dates, soybeans, corn and gourds to create autumn harvest-themed displays. Tourists can enjoy interactive activities, folk games and upgraded nighttime performances, including molten iron fireworks.
"The molten iron fireworks were breathtaking, and the traditional and trendy shows were both impressive," said Wang Yan, a tourist from Hebei.
Guo Xiangjun, a staff member at the scenic area, said the site will continue to enrich its autumn and winter offerings by integrating traditional culture with elements of popular modern culture.
A dazzling night view of the Water Margin Heroes City in Yuncheng, Heze, captivates visitors. [Photo/VCG]
