Nepalese exhibitor Bijaya Dawadi was happy to participate in the fair this year. "I brought singing bowls that can calm the mind, and thangka paintings made from natural minerals, which have been very well received. I hope this will promote more cultural exchanges between the two countries."

Domestic exhibitors also found vibrant platforms. "We have participated in the expo several times, and the range of products we bring has become increasingly diverse," says Yuan Xiaohuan, the manager of a ceramics company in Changzhi, Shanxi. "This year, we have attracted many buyers, resulting in very high sales."

With an exhibition area of 70,000 square meters, the fair has 228 cultural industry investment projects launched with total investment reaching 82 billion yuan, according to the fair's organizers. Over the course of five days, the event received 489,000 visitors.

For visitors, the fair was a journey where technology and tradition coexisted. Making its debut at this year's event, the themed exhibition zone for the cultural and creative aspects of Shanxi leveraged the province's unique landscape as its spatial framework, integrating the colors of the Yongle Palace murals and reconstructing elements of ancient architecture.

Li Yue, a visitor, was particularly drawn to the ancient architectural displays. "Because of Black Myth: Wukong and the hit movie Nobody, ancient architecture is especially hot right now. These models allow you to see their structures clearly; it's a different feeling from seeing them on-site. It's great."