Yichang joins World Tourism Cities Federation as sole Chinese newcomer
2026-06-19 21:06:34
By Gao Qing.
Yichang was admitted to the World Tourism Cities Federation on June 18, becoming the only Chinese city among seven new members worldwide in 2026. The city marked the occasion by hosting a cultural tourism promotion conference.
Yichang is home to 72 A-level scenic attractions and welcomed 140 million visitors in 2025, generating more than 140 billion yuan (US$20.53 billion) in tourism revenue. Yangtze River night cruises are among its signature attractions.
At the conference, the city expanded international tourism partnerships. The International Mountain Tourism Alliance and Russian travel operators pledged cooperation on mountain tourism and cross-border travel routes to attract more overseas visitors.
Yichang was admitted to the World Tourism Cities Federation on June 18, becoming the only Chinese city among seven new members worldwide in 2026. The city marked the occasion by hosting a cultural tourism promotion conference.
Yichang is home to 72 A-level scenic attractions and welcomed 140 million visitors in 2025, generating more than 140 billion yuan (US$20.53 billion) in tourism revenue. Yangtze River night cruises are among its signature attractions.
At the conference, the city expanded international tourism partnerships. The International Mountain Tourism Alliance and Russian travel operators pledged cooperation on mountain tourism and cross-border travel routes to attract more overseas visitors.
Representatives sign cultural tourism cooperation agreements at the 2026 Yichang Cultural Tourism Promotion Conference. Photo by Lin XiaoThe event also unveiled the "Top Ten Yichang Gifts," a curated collection of local specialty souvenirs, and appointed ten cultural ambassadors, including Olympic champions and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, to promote the city's tourism brand worldwide.
