The Silk Capital Embraces the World

Embrace the World

To better fulfill its mission, the Hangzhou Tourism Commission launched the Hangzhou China Global Tour in July 2015. This was a response to the philosophy of adopting tourism as a form of diplomacy advocated by China National Tourism Administration. Participants spent one month traveling across several countries in Asia and Europe, tracing the ancient Silk Road, and further to the U.S. to inherit the cultural connotations of the Silk Road and elevate the visibility of Hangzhou.

A model parades silk garments designed according to an artist’s painting on display at an art show in Hangzhou on June 13, 2016.

A taxi driver from China, Zhou Zhen, and Domenick Capaldi, a musician from the U.S., were selected as the city’s tourism ambassadors. Along with their families and two media reporters from both countries, the ambassadors spread happiness and built lasting international friendships along the way during their journey.

Having taught himself English, Zhou Zhen, a native of Hangzhou, has always been passionate when introducing his hometown to overseas visitors. Renowned writer Chen Zufen mentioned Zhou in her book about Hangzhou in modern times published in 2006, saying that “those who would like to learn about China in the present day are advised to talk to a local taxi driver; Jerry is his English name.” In addition to being friendly, enthusiastic, and considerate to foreign tourists, Zhou has a sense of responsibility and honor. A French couple once asked Zhou whether they could charter his car at a lower price. Upon learning that they had traveled to Hangzhou to search out ancient Chinese cultural relics, Zhou helped them contact the Hangzhou Tourism Commission and provided his car and travel services for free. In Zhou’s eyes, providing quality and convenient service is more meaningful than making profit when it comes to promoting Chinese culture. He is entitled “grassroots ambassador” of Hangzhou for his dedication.

His counterpart Domenick Capaldi is also a Chinese culture enthusiast. He comes from a musical family in which four languages, including Chinese, are spoken. The Capaldis stood out in the short video audition for the tour. On his first trip to Hangzhou, Capaldi got the feeling of the world as a family. “The city makes us feel more like family and friends than foreigners,” he said.

Silk was a key element of the entire global tour. In Dunhuang, a historically important city on the Silk Road in northwest China, the two families exchanged silk products with local residents for a toy camel. On the cruise ship to Mykonos Island of Greece, silk was given as a present to the captain. In Venice, they exchanged silk fans for Italian lace fans. A product with a long history and a symbol of culture, silk owns a unique appeal. A source of fascination to people who cherish Eastern culture, it is an emblem of the city’s openness to the world. In his travel blog, Zhou said that the Silk Road is a route for culture and technology rather than merely for trade. He wrote that “Tea and silk have facilitated promoting Chinese culture to the West. Today, we are striving to revive this historical glory with international friends.”

According to Li Hong, director-general of the Hangzhou Tourism Commission, the Silk Road in the modern era is expected to bring Hangzhou culture to the world stage. Li reckoned that “Covering Asia, Europe, and the U.S., the Global Tour has not only presented Hangzhou to overseas tourist markets, but also inherited the cultural connotation of the Silk Road and elevated the visibility of Hangzhou.”

Enjoying fame for its silk products, Hangzhou is also a livable city. Grasping the opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative, Hangzhou seeks to better embrace the world.