Chongqing - The "Overseas Chinese Celebrating Chinese New Year in Chongqing" event, held from January 23 (Little New Year) to February 12 (Lantern Festival), has successfully concluded. 

The event celebrated the inclusion of the Chinese Spring Festival on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list and featured a root-seeking experience for overseas Chinese, promoting Chongqing as a world-class cultural and tourism destination.

The journey commenced in Yubei District, revolving around Chongqing food. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

The festivities began on January 23 with the opening of the "360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors” food street in Jiangbei District, where guests sampled local delicacies and explored Chongqing food culture. On January 28, coinciding with Chinese New Year's Eve, a new direct flight line from Kuching, Malaysia, to Chongqing was brought into use to strengthen the cultural link between the two countries. Its first flight carried over 100 Malaysian overseas Chinese to join the journey.

Overseas Chinese visited the Three Gorges. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

On January 29 (Chinese New Year's Day), overseas Chinese guests visited Changshou District to experience traditional Chinese health and longevity culture, astonished by Changshou's effort to build itself as a health-care hub in the southwest of China. The journey culminated on February 12 with over 200 overseas Chinese gathering in Pianyan Ancient Town, Beibei District, for a lively Lantern Festival celebration featuring dragon dances, traditional feasts, and cultural activities like paper cutting and lantern riddle-solving. A long street banquet concluded the day, with the most representative Chongqing food warming up the guests to appreciate the values of reunion.

The overseas guests visited over twenty districts and counties throughout the journey, including Yuzhong, Jiangbei, Shapingba, Beibei, Changshou, Dazu, Pengshui, and Wushan. They explored key attractions such as the Three Gorges, Wuling's ethnic villages, and Chongqing’s iconic 8D magic urban landscapes. Attendees also engaged with local museums, performance venues, and cultural sites, gaining insights into Chongqing, Three Gorges culture, and immigrant history.

Overseas influencers shared the events with overseas audiences. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

To highlight the cultural significance of this journey, nearly 20 international influencers from the United States, Canada, Turkey, Australia, Thailand, and Ukraine live-streamed the festivities, sharing the vibrant celebrations with a global audience. According to data, Chongqing welcomed nearly 19,000 international visitors during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday, marking a 64% year-on-year increase.

The event not only highlighted Chongqing's cultural and tourism resources but also fostered collaboration among local businesses, including scenic spots, travel agencies, hotels, and restaurants. Moving forward, Chongqing plans to expand and upgrade the "Overseas Chinese Celebrating Chinese New Year" series, leveraging traditional festivals to attract global visitors and showcase its unique cultural and tourism offerings.