Taizhou strengthens arts, tourism during 14th Five-Year Plan period

A Peking Opera performance by Taizhou Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Taizhou has significantly expanded cultural opportunities over the past five years, making art more accessible to the public.

The city has developed 66 community cultural teams and opened 64 new cultural spaces, allowing more people to take part in performances, exhibitions, and literary activities. Residents are increasingly stepping into the spotlight, not just as audiences but as active participants.

The "Pozi Street" literary brand, run by Taizhou Daily, now features nearly 6,000 contributors and more than 100,000 followers. This grassroots literary movement has attracted attention nationwide, encouraging wider participation in reading, writing, and cultural exchange.

In September 2023, the Taizhou Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe was established. In just over two years, the troupe has staged productions such as Mei Lanfang: Dan Gui Ji and revived classics like Mu Guiying Takes Command, with young performers leading the effort to carry forward Peking Opera traditions.

A Huaiju Opera performed by a Taizhou troupe. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Investment in culture and tourism has grown rapidly. During this period, Taizhou launched 77 major projects totaling more than 25 billion yuan ($3.57 billion), including the Jingjiang Cultural Center. In 2024, revenue from large-scale cultural enterprises reached 68.09 billion yuan, up 32.1 percent year-on-year.

Tourism has flourished alongside these efforts. The city received 42.39 million visitors during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), generating 44.02 billion yuan in revenue — a 19 percent and 16.4 percent increase, respectively.