Zigong will open its fourth International Dinosaur Culture Tourism Festival on Sept. 30 under the theme "Marvelous Zigong: Exploring the Land of Dinosaurs," kicking off the city's autumn tourism season during China's Oct. 1-8 Golden Week holidays, according to Municipal Publicity Department on Sept. 12.
The opening ceremony will take place at the Huangshang International Mall. The newly upgraded Zigong Dinosaur Museum will feature cutting-edge digital technologies, including holographic projection and interactive installations, to give visitors an immersive prehistoric experience. The evening will debut what organizers call a global first: intelligent bionic dinosaur robots. Visitors can watch the lifelike robots breathe, blink and move their tails in a specially designed corridor and interact with them directly.
A "Prehistoric Party" parade will wind through Zigong's main streets Oct. 1-2, featuring mechanized dinosaur performers, traditional salt worker performances, lantern floats and motorcycle squads promoting the city's signature spicy rabbit snacks. The parade route runs from Dinosaur Avenue to the Fuxi River, showcasing what organizers call a moving "encyclopedia" of local history, culture and cuisine.
The city will launch "In Search of Salt" walking routes connecting 12 landmarks, including the Old Salt Warehouse, Ziliujing workshops and food markets, where visitors can complete tasks and collect stamps for limited-edition medals. Ziliujing Old Street will host its own opening celebration with photo spots, a salt-themed food corridor and live music, combining dining, entertainment and cultural experiences.
Zigong will offer daily events and promotional packages throughout the Golden Week holiday, coordinating benefits across attractions, restaurants, hotels and transportation. Visitors who buy tickets to Fantawild Dinosaur Kingdom will receive free rides on the "Dangdang Travel Express" sightseeing tram, plus discounts on multi-site tours and dining vouchers.
By combining prehistoric wonder with living traditions, Zigong aims to offer travelers an unforgettable holiday of discovery, culture and fun.
