On December 2, foreign journalists participating in the "Explore Jilin: International Press Tour on Jilin's Culture & Tourism" visited The Hill, an indoor leisure vacation cultural tourism town in Changchun City. The moment they stepped inside, they were captivated by the Internet-famous mall's mountain landscape and they couldn't help but take out their phones to snap photos.

 

The press tour, organized by the Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Jilin Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, in collaboration with the China International Press Communication Center and the Information Center of Xinhua News Agency, invited over 50 journalists from 33 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, and South Africa, as well as domestic media outlets. The Hill was the first stop on their itinerary.

 

Upon entering The Hill, visitors are greeted by a striking 30-meter-high hillside building, with a winding stone staircase leading to the summit. The complex is designed with interconnected courtyards and small shops arranged in layers, creating a visually appealing landscape.

 

The foreign journalists took photos and enjoyed the scenery as they ascended the steps. The shops on both sides of the path offered a variety of goods and delicacies, prompting them to occasionally stop to interview and chat with the shop attendants.

 

In the Youmuren Studio, an original woodcraft workshop, the intricately carved wooden products caught the attention of many foreign journalists. The studio was founded by several young woodcraft enthusiasts who, unlike traditional carpenters, view woodworking as a form of play and creativity and hope to inspire more young people to appreciate traditional woodworking culture through a playful mindset. "The craftsmanship is excellent, and the wood carving designs are very innovative," remarked one foreign journalist after the visit.

In a tie-dye shop, the artisan demonstrated the dyeing process to the foreign journalists. According to the introduction, tie-dye is a traditional and unique folk dyeing technique in China, which has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage. "See? The piece is complete," said the artisan, holding up a freshly dyed fabric, which received praise from several foreign journalists. One foreign journalist even tried the process firsthand.

 

Liu Zhaoxia, General Manager of Changchun The Hill Cultural Tourism Commercial Development Co., Ltd., explained that the establishment of intangible cultural heritage studios within The Hill for use by craftspersons and educational institutions aimed to enrich the complex with the profound essence of Chinese culture and folk customs, while also providing more people with the opportunity to experience these projects and carry forward outstanding traditional culture.

 

As a cultural tourism landmark in Jilin Province, The Hill attracts an average of over 40,000 visitors daily, with out-of-town tourists accounting for 50% to 60% during holidays and festivals, making it a popular must-visit destination.

 

Since the beginning of this year, this province has continuously introduced new consumer experiences, investing RMB 100 million in the service sector to support the development of 12 night-time consumption centers and 27 new consumption scenes. The integration of commerce, tourism, and culture has stimulated catering and online consumption. Driven by the new consumption scenes, the catering revenue in the province has increased by 6.4% in the first six months, while online retail sales have grown by 17%.

 

"The Hill has beautiful scenery, shops offering all kinds of products, and even interactive experiences with small animals, which is quite refreshing. I bought gifts for my family and friends here," said Ayanda Ntuthuko Zithulele Mdluli, Editor-in-Chief of Daily News from South Africa, at the scene.

 

 

Source: Xinhua News Agency  Editor: LI Ye