Chongqing—The 2026 Chongqing Dazu Rock Carvings International Tourism and Culture Festival opened on the evening of April 3 in Chongqing’s Dazu District, kicking off a monthlong program aimed at promoting one of the country’s best-known cultural heritage sites to domestic and international visitors.

Held under the theme “Dazu for the World, Blessings for All,” the festival runs through April 30 and brings together tourism officials, industry representatives, influencers, and visitors for a series of cultural, sports, and promotional events.

Organizers also launched the 2026 China Tourism Overseas Promotion (Dazu) at the opening ceremony, part of a broader push to raise the international profile of the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cliffside sculptures dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties.

Located in Chongqing, the carvings are widely regarded as a major example of Chinese religious art and cultural exchange.

Music, folk customs and sports headline festival

Festival organizers said this year’s program is built around five main themes: folk culture, live performances, sports events, urban exploration, and industry exchange.

Among the cultural highlights is the Baoding Incense Temple Fair, a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage event featuring folk performances and traditional rituals. Baodingshan Scenic Area will also host a spring blessing program from April 4 to 6, with interactive activities designed to attract younger visitors.

The opening night concluded with a pop concert featuring singers including Wilber Pan, Angela Chang, and Samuel Tai, adding a contemporary entertainment element to the heritage-focused festival.

Renowned singer Angela Chang was awarded the title of Guardian of the Dazu Rock Carvings at the opening ceremony. （Photo/ the organizer）

Sports events will include the Longshui Lake Half Marathon on April 12, with much of the course running alongside the lake, and a national RV camping rally from April 17 to 19 linking several local landmarks, including the Dazu Rock Carvings.

Tourism push targets younger, global audiences

Other events include a CityWalk photography campaign starting April 8, encouraging visitors and online creators to document local landmarks and street scenes, and a mid-April development forum focused on cultural heritage activation and tourism innovation.

Local officials said the festival is part of a broader effort to position Dazu as a youth-friendly destination by combining traditional culture with interactive experiences, social media campaigns, and contemporary lifestyles.

By pairing ancient stone carvings with concerts, sports, folk customs, and digital engagement, Dazu is seeking to expand its appeal beyond traditional sightseeing and strengthen its image as an international cultural tourism destination.

This year’s festival offers visitors a chance to experience both the historic significance and modern energy of Dazu, as the district uses its best-known heritage asset to invite the world to engage with Chinese culture in new ways.