Guiyang roadside concerts captivate summer travelers

On the evening of Aug 24, by the Nanming River in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, a crowd gathered, captivated by the sound of a pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) solo performance echoing throughout the area as melodious songs filled Zhucheng Square.

Since July last year, the popularity of Guiyang's roadside concerts led to many large-scale concerts and music festivals being held in Guizhou. With the arrival of summer, the heat of entertainment activities has risen as tourists flock to Guizhou to escape from the summer heat.

Every weekend, Guiyang's "no admission fee, no commercialization, and no distance" roadside concerts are held in all types of weather, filling the city streets and alleys with bustling crowds. Sightseeing during the day and attending concerts at night have become a common routine among visitors.

The rich culture and tourism activities are attracting more visitors to the area. This year, Guizhou has released preferential policies for tourists, offering discounts on scenic area tickets, multi-day ticket use, and a 50-percent discount on expressway tolls from March 19 to Dec 31.

"After the 2024 Colorful Guizhou Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference was held in Guangzhou in March, we have seen a significant increase in inquiries about Guizhou tourism," said Zhang Weixin, a chief planner at China Comfort Tourism Group's Guangzhou branch.

Guizhou's proximity and pleasant summer climate have made it a popular summer destination for people from the neighboring province of Guangdong. "With the preferential policies, there has been a surge in enthusiasm among Guangdong tourists for travel to Guizhou this year," according to Zhang.

"The popular tourist spots of Huangguoshu Waterfall, Xiaoqikong scenic area, One-Thousand-Household Miao Village of Xijiang, Chishui Danxia scenic area, Wanfenglin scenic area and Fanjing Mountain have been particularly busy this summer," Zhang said.

"By providing high-quality performances, innovative presentation forms, and immersive viewing experiences, cultural tourism has enriched travel experiences in various ways. Many tourists said that attending a music festival and spending two days in the local area have become a popular option," said a staff member of Guiyang bureau of culture and tourism.