From July 27 to 28, the 2024 Heilongjiang Ecological Wellness Tourism Conference themed "Charming Longjiang, Wellness Lianchi", together with the launching ceremony of Heilongjiang Wellness Tourism Season under the slogan "Health from Dining, Vitality from Drinking", was held at Wudalianchi Global Geopark, hailed as "a paradise for health preservation with sacred mountains and holy water". The event was hosted by the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the People's Government of Heihe City, China Tourism News Agency, and the Health Tourism Branch of China Tourism Association, and organized by the Heihe Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism as well as the Administrative Committee of Wudalianchi Global Geopark.
On the evening of July 27, the launching ceremony of the 2024 Heilongjiang Wellness Tourism Season was held at Wudalianchi Global Geopark. The Holy Water Goddess took over the holy water, poured it into the sacred altar, expressed gratitude for the gift of holy water from heaven, and prayed for the prosperity of Longjiang. At this moment, the Heilongjiang Wellness Tourism Season was officially launched.
This conference featured multiple events, including the release of three major wellness product systems in Heilongjiang Province, promotion of Longjiang’s wellness tourism resources, a healthy gourmet competition, and a wellness tourism industry matchmaking session. It aimed to strengthen the interaction of wellness tourism resources across Longjiang, actively promote the integrated development of Longjiang’s wellness tourism industry with distinctive sectors such as healthcare and elderly care, enhance the visibility of the cultural tourism brand "China Ecological Wellness Tourism Destination", and boost the development of Longjiang’s wellness tourism industry. Therefore, the conference served as a platform for national experts and scholars in wellness tourism to conduct discussions and exchanges, and fully demonstrate the advantages of Longjiang’s wellness tourism resources.
During the event, Wudalianchi Global Geopark was awarded the title of 2024 China Ecological Wellness Tourism Destination, and was designated by the National Technical Committee for Tourism Standardization as a validation unit for the compilation of the industry standard Specifications for Health Tourism Management and Services.
At the conference, Heilongjiang wellness project promoters released 6 provincial wellness travel routes, 6 wellness experience programs, and 6 healthy dishes. Meanwhile, the Heihe Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism and the Administrative Committee of Wudalianchi Global Geopark respectively shared their experience in the development of the wellness tourism industry on site. Experts and scholars discussed the development of Longjiang’s wellness tourism and the future of Lianchi, focusing on the advantages of Heilongjiang’s wellness tourism and the prospects of Wudalianchi Global Geopark’s wellness tourism sector.
The "Health from Dining" Health Food Tasting Competition and Longjiang Wellness Cuisine Master Competition was held in full swing. The collision and integration of healthy catering concepts, local mineral spring ingredients, and innovative ideas presented a dual feast for the eyes and taste buds of tourists and guests.
Thirteen chefs from time-honored local restaurants and renowned catering enterprises in the province, who had advanced to the final through online preliminary selection and initial rounds, showcased their culinary expertise. Wielding spatulas and ladles, they competed against each other by preparing two dishes within the specified time: a creative and flavorful mineral spring tofu dish, and a signature health-preserving dish.
Expert judges scored the dishes comprehensively from five dimensions: color, aroma, taste, presentation, and health benefits. The top three contestants with the highest total scores were finally awarded the title of "Longjiang Golden Award for Healthy Dishes". The exquisite dishes and the exciting competition attracted many tourists and local residents to watch and taste on site, adding a touch of fashion, fun, and entertainment to the conference.
At the Heilongjiang Wellness Tourism Industry Matchmaking Session, representatives of wellness enterprises, experts, scholars, and guests from across the country exchanged ideas, pooled wisdom, and conducted in-depth discussions on the opportunities and challenges for the innovative development of Longjiang’s wellness tourism, brand building, and development paths, with a focus on the advantages of Heilongjiang’s wellness resources and the development prospects of Wudalianchi’s wellness sector
