Mount Langshan-World Natural Heritage

To showcase the achievements of public cultural and artistic creation across Hunan Province in the new era and bring high-quality public cultural resources directly to local communities, the 2026 “Happy Xiaoxiang” Hunan Provincial Public Cultural Festival will take place in Zhangjiajie from November 5 to 8, featuring a series of performances and exhibitions celebrating the province’s vibrant cultural life.

Guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, organized by the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and co-organized by the Hunan Provincial Cultural Center and the Zhangjiajie Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, Television and Sports, the festival will feature five major programs:

– “Songs of Xiaoxiang, Stars Shine Bright” – a showcase of outstanding public cultural and artistic performances from across Hunan.

– “Guardians of Our Hunan Roots” – a showcase of local cultural talents and traditional folk skills.

– “Xiang-tastic AI” – an online exhibition of AI-generated cultural and tourism works.

– “Joyful Songs of Sanxiang” – public-benefit touring performances featuring outstanding community arts productions.

– “Gifts of Furong” – a creative market showcasing cultural products, visual arts and cultural merchandise.

Today, a selection of outstanding community performances from across Hunan has brought free cultural performances to Zhangjiajie’s scenic attractions. Featuring short, engaging and interactive acts alongside distinctive local performances, the program is visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Tianmen Fox Fairy Square and other locations. Through flash mobs and mobile-stage performances, visitors from China and around the world can enjoy an immersive cultural experience amid Zhangjiajie’s spectacular natural scenery and discover the unique charm of Hunan culture.

On the evening of November 8, the highlight event, “Songs of Xiaoxiang, Stars Shine Bright” – 2026 Hunan Provincial “Happy Xiaoxiang” Outstanding Public Cultural Performances, will take center stage at Dayong Ancient Town in Zhangjiajie.

Bringing together outstanding community arts productions from across the province, the show will combine singing, dancing, traditional folk arts and live presentations of intangible cultural heritage. Following the theme of a journey guided by traditional fish lanterns, the performance will weave together scenes of everyday life, ethnic traditions, China’s manufacturing achievements, and the beauty of Hunan’s landscapes and tourism.

Innovative elements, including surprise-box-style audience hosts, AI-powered virtual IP characters and immersive multi-scene stage designs, will highlight the exciting possibilities of integrating artificial intelligence into community arts. The result promises to be a spectacular celebration where traditional cultural heritage meets cutting-edge digital technology.

During the festival, Zhangjiajie will also showcase the achievements of the 2026 “Guardians of Our Hunan Roots” initiative, which supports talented individuals preserving and promoting local culture. A total of 38 local cultural talents have been selected to participate. They represent a wide range of grassroots cultural roles, including guardians of regional heritage, organizers of community cultural activities, folk artists, advocates of traditional rural values, and ambassadors promoting rural cultural tourism. Together, they will demonstrate the vitality and achievements of cultural preservation and transmission at the grassroots level.

Outstanding AI-generated works related to culture and tourism, collected and selected through the festival, will also be featured in an online exhibition on the Hunan Digital Cultural Center platform.

Meanwhile, the “Gifts of Furong” Cultural and Creative Market, set up in Dayong Ancient Town, will bring together original cultural and creative products from public cultural institutions, including cultural centers and libraries across Hunan, alongside Zhangjiajie’s distinctive souvenirs, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and local specialty products. By combining cultural experiences with creative shopping, the market aims to stimulate cultural tourism consumption.

Rooted in the principle of “coming from the people and returning to the people,” the “Happy Xiaoxiang” Public Cultural Festival brings together a range of achievements in Hunan’s public cultural development, including the cultivation of local cultural talent, AI-powered artistic innovation, the development of grassroots cultural and artistic groups, and the living transmission of intangible cultural heritage.

By integrating distinctive cultural themes, diverse artistic formats and community-based creative achievements, the festival is creating fresh and engaging ways for the public to experience culture. Through a rich, immersive and multidimensional showcase, it highlights the remarkable achievements, vitality and high-quality development of Hunan’s public cultural services in the new era.