On October 25, 2025, The 2025 International Wudang Tai Chi Cultural Festival officially opened today at the Yuxu Palace in Wudang Mountain, Shiyan City, Hubei Province. Jointly organised by the People’s Government of Shiyan City and the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, this year’s festival is themed “World Tai Chi Meets Wudang, Wudang Tai Chi Connects the World.” Over 2,000 guests from more than 50 countries and regions attended the event.

The China National Tourist Office in London (CNTO London) organised and invited representatives from leading British and Irish travel companies — including Audley Travel, Soliman Travel, Zatino, Ireland Sino Institute, Crystal Travel, and China Travel Planner — to participate in the event. The delegation attended the opening ceremony and Tai Chi cultural showcase, gaining an in-depth understanding of the origins and global influence of Wudang Tai Chi culture.

On October 26, the delegation joined the International Travel Business Conference, engaging in discussions with global tourism industry representatives on market promotion, product collaboration, and inbound tourism development. Delegates expressed that Wudang Mountain’s distinct cultural identity, unique resources, and the strong international recognition of Tai Chi present significant potential for product development in the UK and Irish markets. They highlighted opportunities to create immersive cultural and wellness experiences that combine Wudang’s natural landscapes with Tai Chi traditions.

The group also commended Wudang Mountain’s tourism infrastructure, hospitality standards, and transport accessibility, expressing their willingness to strengthen cooperation with Chinese partners to expand visitor exchanges.

During the visit, the delegation toured the Wudang Mountain Scenic Area and Wudang Museum and participated in a Tai Chi experiential session, gaining first-hand insights into the Wudang cultural system, Taoist philosophy, and the legacy of Zhang Sanfeng.

Members remarked that such in-depth cultural immersion enables international audiences to better appreciate the destination’s appeal, helping travel professionals design more targeted and authentic tourism products.

Following the festival, the UK and Ireland travel representatives will continue their tour to Shiyan and Suizhou, visiting cultural and natural attractions such as Shangyong Ancient Town, the Yan Emperor Cultural Site, the Millennium Ginkgo Valley, and Dahong Mountain Scenic Area. The visits aim to explore local cultural tourism resources, itinerary connectivity, and service facilities, laying a foundation for future cooperative product development.

The successful hosting of this event has played a positive role in promoting the international profile of Wudang Tai Chi culture, fostering exchange and cooperation between Chinese and international travel trade partners, and expanding Hubei’s reach into European source markets. Both Chinese and UK sides will continue to build on this engagement to strengthen communication and collaboration, bringing more high-quality Chinese cultural and tourism products to global travelers.