The vibrant art of Sichuan face-changing (Bian Lian) took center stage in Naha, Okinawa recently, as nearly 1,000 Japanese spectators gathered for the “Chinese Face-Changing Art in the World” cultural showcase. Organized by China’s tourism offices in Tokyo and Osaka, the event transformed into a dynamic platform promoting cross-cultural understanding and travel opportunities between Japan and China. Visitors explored an immersive China tourism exhibition featuring newly published 2024 guidebooks on UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Silk Road, and winter destinations, while representatives from Chinese airlines provided updated flight information about direct routes from Okinawa to major Chinese cities.
Multimedia Showcase Highlights China’s Diverse Attractions
A dedicated China tourism presentation captivated audiences with stunning visuals of Sichuan’s pandas, Beijing’s Great Wall, and Fujian’s tulou earthen buildings, complemented by detailed explanations of China’s latest visa-free policy for Japanese citizens. The event’s climax featured master performers demonstrating the ancient Sichuan opera art of Bian Lian – where elaborately costumed artists change colorful masks in the blink of an eye through precise hand movements. Many Okinawan attendees, like local teacher Tanaka Hiroko, expressed renewed travel interest: “Watching the masks transform magically made me realize how much living Chinese culture I’ve been missing. With the new visa exemption, I’m planning my first trip to Chengdu this autumn to see the face-changing shows in their hometown.”
Strengthening Tourism Ties Through Cultural Diplomacy
The Naha event represents China’s strategic outreach to Japan’s growing experiential travel market. Recent data shows Japanese searches for “China visa-free travel” have surged 210% since the policy implementation, with Okinawa’s unique position as both a cultural crossroads and emerging aviation hub making it ideal for such initiatives. As China Eastern Airlines prepares to launch new Naha-Chengdu charter flights this winter, tourism officials anticipate more Japanese travelers will discover China beyond traditional destinations. “Every mask change in Bian Lian reveals new dimensions,” remarked event organizer Zhang Wei, “just as we hope each visit to China will reveal new surprises to our Japanese friends.”
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