This file photo shows a young woman taking a selfie in Beijing's Qianmen district with a local tanghulu snack in hand. Made with sweet red hawthorn berries, the stick candy is an iconic Beijing street snack. /CFP
This file photo shows a young woman taking a selfie in Beijing's Qianmen district with a local tanghulu snack in hand. Made with sweet red hawthorn berries, the stick candy is an iconic Beijing street snack. /CFP
Gather a few good friends and take a leisurely stroll through the streets: this is what many young Chinese people like to do when visiting a new city.
For them, Citywalk means “traveling the city” on foot. Participants can follow a distinctive city route, soak up the atmosphere, explore old buildings, browse boutiques, sip a cup of coffee or enjoy authentic local snacks.
What is Citywalk?
This could be a special guided tour for a small group of people, or just a leisurely stroll for one or two people to explore new areas, respecting the key point: avoid famous scenic spots and large crowds to gain a more inclusive experience of the places. you visit.
Hashtags and keywords for Citywalk are currently trending on several Chinese social media platforms, as more people seek to share their experiences and thoughts online.
A young man takes a photo of a historic building in the old town of Changsha Tongguanyao, June 18, 2023. /CFP
A young man takes a photo of a historic building in the old town of Changsha Tongguanyao, June 18, 2023. /CFP
In China, the Citywalk trend is spreading from first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai to second- and third-tier cities, encouraging more participants and event organizers to get involved. Some organizers invite researchers and popular culture enthusiasts to serve as tour guides. Xiao Yiyi is a young entrepreneur based in Changsha who is exploring new possibilities in the tourism sector. Recently, she launched six Citywalk routes in different cities on her social media account, aiming to offer visitors “open-air museum walking” experiences.
Its Changsha itinerary incorporates more unusual sights like historic 19th-century architecture, artistic old lanes and even a stop to sample the local specialty of spicy crayfish. Citywalk not only offers young people a way to interact with a city, but also provides them with a new social scene, where people with similar interests and ideas can easily make friends. Xiao Yiyi said his group usually consists of around a dozen people and his events last about half a day.
A photo taken on May 19, 2023 shows a spicy crayfish dish at the Changsha night market. /CFP
A photo taken on May 19, 2023 shows a spicy crayfish dish at the Changsha night market. /CFP
Some regions, such as Beijing and Shandong, have included Citywalk in their plans to promote cultural tourism and leisure tours. Shanghai has established Citywalk routes using public bus lines to help day-trippers reach more distant neighborhoods by public transportation and continue on foot.
Although Citywalk is a relatively new and niche phenomenon, industry insiders say its potential is enormous. Zhang Zhi, a Beijing tour guide, said tourists now pay more attention to personalized travel services. Many tour guides are also trying to expand their influence online, sharing their experiences in an effort to attract potential customers.
Citywalk offers a positive change for urban travelers, as they can better choose experiences that match their interests and needs. At the same time, Citywalk represents an opportunity for tour guides and travel service providers to offer a more personalized professional service to meet the ever-changing market demands.
