Media Center
The Yanshan district of Guilin in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region welcomed a group of international tourists on Dec 7, offering them an immersive cultural experience that blends modern agriculture, art and adventure tourism.
The tour group, comprised of international media journalists and internet influencers, is part of the tourism campaign – "Next Station, Guangxi".
Staff show influencers around Yuzi Paradiza Sculpture Park. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
The tourists first visited the Yanshan Modern Agricultural Demonstration Base, where they explored state-of-the-art greenhouses and savored a variety of fruits.
With strawberry season just beginning, the air was filled with the sweet aroma of ripe berries. Attendees had the chance to pick their own fruit, experiencing firsthand the seamless integration of modern agriculture and leisure tourism.
After tasting a special type of sweet, juicy corn developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Irish blogger Luke Farrell said: "I never liked corn before, but this variety is incredibly delicious!"
Luke and his cousin Alexander Short from the United Kingdom show their strawberry-picking harvest at the Yanshan Modern Agricultural Demonstration Base. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
The base's manager explained that Yanshan district is promoting an "agriculture + tourism" model, creating a comprehensive platform for visitors to connect with nature and local culture, while also injecting new vitality into rural vitalization efforts.
Content creators take a group photo at the Yanshan Modern Agricultural Demonstration Base. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
The group then moved to the Club Med Guilin Resort, a hallmark of international luxury tourism in China. Nestled amid Guilin's iconic karst landscapes, the resort combines global artistic creations with high-end services, setting a benchmark for the internationalization and quality of Guangxi's cultural tourism industry.
Participants engaged in outdoor activities such as mountain off-roading and horseback riding, enjoying the thrill of speed amid stunning natural scenery. They also strolled through the Yuzi Paradiza Sculpture Park, admiring over 200 largumanity.
Influencers turns the sculptures to experience the profound dialogue between nature and humanity. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
They admired sculptures created by artists from nearly 40 countries, experiencing a profound dialogue between nature and art. Haneen Aldulmi from Iraq expressed her excitement after the outdoor activities, saying, "This place perfectly combines art, sports, and nature. Every corner is full of surprises, and I will definitely recommend it to my family and friends."
Haneen experiences horseback riding. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
The visit also featured local crafts, with Wang Boyang, a renowned master of intangible cultural heritage, showcasing original products like Guilin lacquerware and pomelo crafts. Attendees learned about the history and techniques of these traditional crafts, trying their hands at creating pomelo products and gaining a deeper appreciation for Guilin's traditional culture.
Wang explains the making of Guilin lacquerware to influencers and guides them to experience the shaping process of pomelo crafts firsthand. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
Since 1998, the resort has hosted 11 international sculpture and painting camps, creating a space that integrates art creation, exhibition and leisure activities. Adopting Club Med's "all-inclusive" service model, the resort employs "Gentil Organisateurs" from over 20 countries to offer personalized, international holiday experiences.
In 2025, Yanshan district has embraced a "culture + tourism" strategy, hosting major sports events, enriching cultural festivals, and enhancing international visitor services to invigorate its tourism industry.
Russian influencer Balbashova Victoria enjoys off-roading at Yuzi Paradiza Sculpture Park. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]
From January to September, the district welcomed 7.22 million visitors, up 12.87 percent year-on-year and generating 8.9 billion yuan ($1.25 billion) in tourism revenue, an increase of 13.32 percent over the previous year.
From January to November, international overnight visitors topped 40,000, a 183.2 percent increase, with foreign exchange earnings of $12.34 million, up 51.96 percent year-on-year.
