CHIANG RAI – Tourism is no longer just about taking pictures, eating local food, and buying souvenirs. Today, it is a powerful and essential tool for international diplomacy. This was the central message at the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue, a major international forum recently held in Huangshan, a city in eastern China’s Anhui province.
According to a report by LINE Today , the event ran from May 28 to May 31. It brought together mayors, city leaders, and urban planners from 10 different countries, including Germany, Thailand, and China. They gathered under a shared theme to discuss how cities can protect their world heritage sites while simultaneously pursuing green, eco-friendly urban development.
Representing Thailand was Prasert Chitpleecheep, the Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai province. In a special interview with Xinhua News Agency , Prasert explained how cultural tourism serves as a vital bridge. He noted that it breaks down geographical barriers and brings nations closer together, acting as a core foundation for international relations.
Finding Common Ground Between Chiang Rai and China
At first glance, Huangshan and Chiang Rai might seem like they exist in completely different worlds. Huangshan is famous globally for its towering granite peaks, ancient pine trees, and historic Chinese architecture. Meanwhile, Chiang Rai is celebrated for its lush northern Thai mountains, rich Lanna culture, and intricate temples. However, Prasert noted that the two cities actually share a remarkably similar vision for the future of travel.
Both regions have built their modern identities around cultural tourism and sustainable urban development. By turning cultural preservation into a sustainable engine for economic growth, both Huangshan and Chiang Rai share several key development goals:
- Environmental Protection:Ensuring that increased tourism does not damage natural landscapes.
- Cultural Inheritance:Passing down local traditions, arts, and history to younger generations.
- Sustainable Growth:Building economies that thrive over the long term without exhausting local resources.
- Community Benefit:Making sure the financial gains from tourism go back into the hands of residents.
“Cultural tourism breaks down geographical barriers,” Prasert told reporters during the event. He emphasized that this kind of mindful travel acts as a crucial medium, helping the people of China and Thailand understand each other on a much deeper, more personal level.
High-Speed Rails and Visa-Free Travel
Good intentions require solid, reliable infrastructure to succeed. Over the past few years, better transportation links have made it much easier for citizens of both countries to travel and connect. The China-Laos Railway has already transformed cross-border movement, making regional travel significantly faster and cheaper. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated China-Thailand railway project continues to make steady, promising progress.
Thai tourism agencies are taking full advantage of these developments. They are actively encouraging local travel businesses to sit down and partner with Chinese tour operators. This growing cooperation in transport and cultural tourism is unlocking massive potential for everyday people to connect.
Air travel is also becoming much smoother and more inviting. To boost international visits, Huangshan recently introduced a 240-hour visa-free transit policy. This rule has made it significantly easier for international travelers to visit the region, ensuring that direct flights between Huangshan and Bangkok operate smoothly and consistently. Because their tourism resources complement each other so well, the cross-border travel market between Anhui province and Thailand is expanding rapidly.
Bringing Ancient Villages Back to Life
During his visit to Anhui, the Chiang Rai Deputy Governor paid close attention to exactly how Huangshan manages its historical sites. The Chinese city is home to centuries-old villages and traditional architecture that have been carefully preserved over decades. But unlike many historical sites around the world, they are not treated like fragile museum pieces kept behind glass barriers.
Prasert praised Huangshan for making its cultural heritage completely accessible to the public. People can walk through these ancient villages, interact with the locals who still live there, and truly experience the history firsthand.
He pointed out that Huangshan has successfully merged three important elements: conservation, cultural inheritance, and practical utilization. He sees this exact balance as a perfect model that Chiang Rai can study, adapt, and apply to manage its own rich historical sites back in Thailand.
Technology Meets Nature: The Exoskeleton Revolution
Perhaps the most surprising and futuristic part of the dialogue was the discussion about robotics in nature tourism. Mountainous regions like Huangshan and Chiang Rai offer breathtaking views, but they also present serious physical challenges. Steep stairs, long hikes, and rugged trails often prevent the elderly or physically disabled from enjoying these natural wonders.
Prasert commended Huangshan for introducing “exoskeleton” robotic suits for its tourists. These wearable, high-tech devices provide physical support to the user’s legs and back, greatly reducing the strain of climbing steep mountain paths. This innovative technology lowers the physical barrier to entry, allowing people with limited mobility to experience the beauty of the mountains up close without exhausting themselves.
Prasert noted that this is exactly how a world-class tourist city should adapt to modern challenges. Using technology to solve physical barriers not only improves the visitor experience but also helps share natural and cultural heritage with a much wider audience. It offers a fresh concept for upgrading tourism globally.
Building Trust Through Simple Interactions
Ultimately, the main goal of all these initiatives—whether it is building railways, preserving villages, or deploying robots—is to foster human connection. Prasert described cultural tourism as the simplest, most organic, and most heartwarming form of people-to-people diplomacy.
When Thai and Chinese tourists visit each other’s countries, they do much more than boost the local economy. They eat local food, observe daily life, navigate new streets, and learn about different customs. This genuine, everyday interaction builds real mutual trust. It ensures that the long-standing friendship between Thailand and China is not just a political talking point discussed by leaders, but a reality deeply rooted in the hearts of everyday people.
As cities continue to link up through better transport, shared goals, and open borders, their cultures will naturally blend and grow stronger. Prasert left the Global Mayors Dialogue with a clear, optimistic message: he is eager to keep strengthening the friendly, local-level ties between Thailand and China for years to come.
By learning from each other, cities like Chiang Rai and Huangshan are proving that the future of urban development relies on preserving the past while embracing new connections.
