2026 Yangtze River Culture Festival opens in Zhangjiagang

The 2026 Yangtze River Culture Festival officially commenced on October 30 in Yonglian Village, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province. The event marks the tenth anniversary of the Yangtze River Economic Belt development strategy, focusing on integrating culture and tourism to stimulate consumption.

During the opening ceremony, officials released autumn and winter tourism themes for Jiangsu Province, consumer benefit policies, and high-speed rail travel routes for the Yangtze River Delta. Representatives from thirteen provinces and municipalities along the river issued the “Rural Culture and Tourism Common Prosperity Declaration.”

The festival, which has been held annually since 2004, features three main pillars: “Walking the Yangtze,” “Cultural Yangtze,” and “Open Yangtze.” Activities include promoting small towns via high-speed rail, RV camping exchanges, and intangible cultural heritage markets. The festival will continue through November 29.