Three international gatherings opened in Huangshan, East China's Anhui province this week, convening local leaders, mayors, heritage experts and representatives of international organizations to discuss how culture, sustainability and regional cooperation can shape future development.
The 2026 RCEP Local Government and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum, the Global Mayors Dialogue · Huangshan, and the 5th Huangshan Dialogue on UNESCO-designated Sites and Sustainable Development are being held in the mountain city from late May, drawing officials, heritage managers and international organizations from across Asia and beyond.
The Guest-Welcoming Pine in the Huangshan Mountain Scenic Area. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]
Best known for its granite peaks and ancient villages, Huangshan is increasingly positioning itself as a testing ground for balancing historical preservation with modernization.
The UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site has rolled out AI-powered travel services, drone-assisted logistics and emergency response systems, alongside wearable exoskeleton devices designed to enhance mountain tourism experiences. Local authorities say these innovations are helping build a replicable model for the digital transformation of scenic destinations.
Meanwhile, Huangshan is expanding its global connectivity through new air routes to South Korea and Vietnam, China–Europe freight rail services, and an expanding network of sister-city partnerships across 26 countries.
The 2025 RCEP Local Government and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]
Officials said the forums are expected to deepen cooperation in trade, tourism, cultural preservation, and urban governance, while opening new channels for people-to-people exchanges under the RCEP framework.