NEW YORK, July 27 (Xinhua) -- South China's Guangdong province on Sunday showcased its vast cultural and tourism resources in the United States, inviting American visitors to experience the region's diverse attractions.
A delegation from Guangdong presented the province's landscapes, cultural heritage, cuisine and tourism opportunities at American Dream, a major shopping and entertainment complex in New Jersey.
Hundreds of visitors watched performances featuring Yingge dance, known as the "Chinese warrior dance," a lion dance and Cantonese folk songs. They also viewed videos introducing Guangdong's scenic spots, intangible cultural heritage, local cuisine, signature events and transportation offerings.
A photo exhibition featuring dozens of tourist destinations across Guangdong was held alongside the event.
"Guangdong is a feast for the eyes, a paradise for food lovers and a shoppers' delight," said Wu Huaqin, an official with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province.
Wu said the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is moving toward becoming a world-class region. The event is expected to serve as a bridge for friendship and understanding, bringing people closer together and creating more development opportunities, Wu added.
Guangdong combines China's rich cultural heritage with the vitality of modern development, making it an important window for the world to better understand China, said Ma Xiaoxiao, deputy consul general of China in New York.
"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 firsthand," Ma said at the event.
The event also sparked interest among local visitors eager to learn more about China.
"I'll be going to China in September to visit it. So, hopefully I learn more about it here," said Nancy, a New Jersey resident who gave only her first name.
Nancy told Xinhua that she would participate in an exchange program this autumn and had been studying Chinese after previous trips to Beijing, Shanghai and Sichuan.
Jason, a visitor from New York who gave only his first name, said he hoped to travel to China someday and planned to learn Mandarin first to make his trip easier. He also said he was interested in exploring China's transportation system.
For American Dream, the event represented more than a cultural showcase.
"At American Dream, we believe our mission goes far beyond being a retail and entertainment destination," said Justin Ghermezian, vice chairman of Triple Five Worldwide Group, developer of American Dream.
"This event is not only a wonderful celebration of Guangdong's culture and tourism, but also the beginning of continued collaboration and partnerships." ■
