After years away, the Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit is making a return to Haidian. It will be held from June 1 to 4 at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center. More than 300 industry representatives from over 50 countries will gather there to exchange ideas on how digital intelligence is shaping the future of tourism.
In the past, travel was very simple that we only decided where to go, see the sights and take photos. But in recent years, people's approach to travel has changed. Fewer people are content with just skimming the surface. No matter how stunning the scenery,if feels like something is missing if we simply have a look. What people really want now is fresh experiences, immersive engagement, unique activities, and a travel experience that is comfortable, smart, and fun. Simply speaking, the old way of traveling no longer meets the needs of today's travelers. Culture and tourism must evolve with the times.
Meanwhile, Haidian has been quietly transforming itself. It is not only just about beautiful scenery, but also has been bringing history to life.
Today, Haidian uses digital technology to restore old gardens, AI to tell the stories of ancient architecture, and a new way for people to see and experience the lost Changchun Garden and the garden landscapes of the past.
In Haidian, history is no longer a distant spectacle behind glass. It has become something that can be walked into, touched, and felt in everyday life.
If the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" are the foundation of Haidian's tourism appeal, then digital intelligence is the bonus that makes it shine.
Haidian is home to more than 1,900 AI-related companies, and it accounts for nearly 60% of the registered large language models in the city. This strong technological foundation gives Haidian the confidence to lead tourism toward a smarter future.
The Galaxy Space Capsule made its global debut at Zhongguancun ART PARK, while the embodied AI robot Galbot officially began operations there, seamlessly completing tasks such as voice reception, payment processing, item retrieval, and delivery. Zhipu AI has launched AutoGLM 2.0, the world's first mobile phone agent, which allows users to order milky tea or book flights with a single command. Haidian's companies have already integrating AI into every stage of the travel experience.
Humanoid robots, large-scale VR spaces, glasses-free 3D digital humans, AI-powered cultural and creative devices—together with the forward-looking "1+2" policy framework that supports the integration of artificial intelligence and culture, this is what Haidian has been working on: keeping its landscapes timeless and its travel experiences fresh.
This year's Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit is themed "Smart Tourism, Better Future." At the summit, people will come together to discuss what the future of travel should look like. The "Top 10 Technology Application Scenarios in Beijing's Culture and Tourism Sector" will be unveiled for the first time. More than 40 leading companies, including Alibaba, Douyin, and Tencent, will present their latest innovations in smart culture and tourism, AI applications, and immersive experiences.
With picturesque mountains and waters as its backdrop, a deep cultural heritage as its roots, and cutting-edge technology as its engine, Haidian is extending an invitation to the world through the 2026 WTCF Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit. On one side of the invitation lies the changing seasons of the Three Hills and Five Gardens. On the other lies the unending pulse of innovation in Zhongguancun. Landscape, culture, and technological progress—all moving in harmony here.
