The opening ceremony of the 6th Jianghai Culture and Tourism Festival was held in Haimen district, Nantong, on Nov 15. 

This year's festival, adopting the theme "Visit Zhang Jian's Hometown", features a diverse lineup of events, including an opening ceremony, four themed activity sections, and 80 cultural and tourism events organized by local towns, cultural venues, and scenic spots. The festival will run until the end of December. 

The festival, now in its sixth year, is an annual highlight in Haimen. Over the past five years, the district has gained recognition for its cultural tourism brand. Achievements include the creation of a provincial-level all-for-one tourism demonstration zone and inclusion among China's first 63 cultural industry empowering rural vitalization pilot units.

Significant progress has also been made in cultural tourism investment and project development. Between 2019 and 2023, Haimen saw 44 projects recognized as municipal-level key cultural industry initiatives and six projects listed as provincial-level key cultural tourism initiatives, ranking among the top in Nantong.

From 2019 to 2023, Haimen welcomed over 19 million visitors, generating total tourism revenue of more than 17 billion yuan ($2.35 billion). The festival continues to strengthen Haimen's cultural and tourism appeal, contributing to its reputation as a vibrant destination.  

The opening ceremony of the 6th Jianghai Culture and Tourism Festival is held in Haimen district, Nantong, on Nov 15. [Photo/Nantong Daily]