Fengjie county in Chongqing, located in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, is home to landmarks such as Baidi City, Qutang Gorge and Kuimen Gate. Tang Dynasty (618-907) poets Li Bai and Du Fu once traveled there, leaving behind enduring works. In recent years, Fengjie has actively explored new models integrating poetry and tourism.

Fengjie's connection with Chinese Poetry Conference dates back to 2017. The program offered the county a national platform to showcase its cultural depth and, in turn, it presented its natural beauty, cultural richness, and development to audiences nationwide.

Tian Li, a Fengjie-born contestant in the 2024 edition, says growing up in a poetry-rich environment made the love for poetry feel natural. Verses projected by streetlights often draw passersby to pause and read.

"Poetry has enriched my inner world, and the philosophy embedded in poetry also guides my life's direction," Tian says.

Beyond Fengjie, places such as Yuanling county in Huaihua, Hunan province, and Luojiang district in Deyang, Sichuan province, have also integrated poetry into cultural tourism.

Through poetry festivals and related initiatives, they promote contemporary interpretations of classical verse, using natural scenery and cultural depth to connect past and present, allowing poetry to resonate anew in the modern era.

Contact the writer at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn