Changsha sees tourism boom as culture-tech integration pays off

Tianxin Tower, a historic landmark in Changsha. [Photo/New Hunan]

Changsha's push to integrate culture with technology and tourism is yielding results, with tourist numbers and spending reaching new highs in 2025.

In 2025, this central city in China attracted an estimated 230 million tourists, who spent more than 260 billion yuan ($36.1 billion). Changsha has been recognized as one of the "Top 100 Global Destinations" and has maintained its status as a top choice for domestic travelers during holidays.

This tourism growth can be attributed to a growing ecosystem of culture and technological advancements. The city now hosts four national-level demonstration bases for the integration of culture and technology, along with 246 innovation platforms. Malanshan Audio & Video Lab has filed over 150 patents and software copyright applications, in addition to more than 70 standard proposals, achieving breakthroughs in seven key technologies, including ultra-high definition video algorithms.

Major players, including Huawei, NetEase and iSoftStone, have established operations in Changsha. The city has signed 46 culture-tech projects and is in ongoing negotiations for an additional 42 initiatives.

To enhance the visitor experience, Changsha has introduced service standards prioritizing tourist satisfaction, built 80 tourism service hubs, and upgraded 1,100 public restrooms. Its "Smart Tour Changsha" mini-program now boasts over 500,000 active users.

Cultural venues have also become more accessible. Fifty-two museums and 34 intangible cultural heritage sites now offer free admission, drawing more than 20 million visits every year.