New Jersey gets a taste of Greater Bay Area culture

Across the Hudson River from Midtown Manhattan, shoppers at American Dream, the largest shopping and entertainment complex on the East Coast of the United States, paused on Sunday afternoon to watch rhythmic yingge dancers, roaring lion dances and classical Cantonese opera performances, as the sights and sounds of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area transformed the sprawling mall into a vibrant showcase of Chinese culture.

The event in New Jersey brought the culture and tourism resources of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to one of the region's busiest public destinations, where US visitors experienced traditional performances, interactive cultural displays and regional cuisine.

Organized under the theme "Vibrant Guangdong, Fashionable Greater Bay Area", the promotion aimed at introducing Guangdong's unique cultural heritage and modern vitality to US audiences while encouraging more international travelers to visit the province and explore China.

Jointly organized by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the China National Tourist Office in New York, the event was supported by the Chinese Consulate General in New York, American Dream developer Triple Five Group and China Southern Airlines. It marked the finale of Guangdong's overseas cultural promotion campaign in North America.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area includes major destinations such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao. Home to more than 86 million people, the region combines centuries-old Lingnan culture with some of China's most dynamic cities and has become one of the country's fastest-growing tourism destinations.

Addressing the audience, Ma Xiaoxiao, China's deputy consul general in New York, said the Greater Bay Area is "one of China's most dynamic, open and internationally competitive regions" and "a renowned international tourist destination and a vibrant urban cluster offering a unique blend of cultural heritage, innovation and modern vitality".

Attractive destination

"As people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States continue to grow, I believe the Greater Bay Area will become an increasingly attractive destination for American visitors seeking to experience Chinese culture and witness China's development," Ma said.

He said, "I sincerely hope this event will serve as a new platform for cultural and tourism institutions, bringing together friends from all sectors to deepen cooperation through culture and tourism, encourage more American friends to visit the Greater Bay Area and discover China, and contribute new momentum to a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability."

Justin Ghermezian, vice-chairman of Triple Five Worldwide, welcomed guests to American Dream and said the venue's mission "goes far beyond being a retail and entertainment destination". He said the American Dream is "a place where cultures come together, families create memories, and millions of visitors from around the world discover unforgettable experiences". Describing the showcase as "an important step forward", he said the event was not only a celebration of Guangdong's culture and tourism, but also "the beginning of continued collaboration and partnership".

Wu Huaqin, first-level inspector of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, highlighted Guangdong's appeal through what he described as its three defining attractions: spectacular scenery, world-famous cuisine and vibrant shopping experiences.

He said Guangdong offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, historical heritage and modern urban life. Wu also introduced China Southern Airlines' nonstop New York-Guangzhou route and China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, saying both have made traveling to Guangdong more convenient for international visitors.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors gathered around the performance stage to watch yingge dance, lion dance and Cantonese opera, while exhibition booths showcased Guangdong's UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage, Lingnan traditions, Cantonese cuisine and popular travel routes across the Greater Bay Area.

Contact the writers at candiceyu@chinadailyusa.com