As the site of Pingcheng, the capital of the Northern Wei dynasty, Datong in Shanxi is harnessing innovative energy to revitalise its millennia-old cultural heritage. Recently, the Tuoba Competitive City project—a pioneering cultural tourism venture conceived and developed over three years—is progressing smoothly. This complex, situated at Qingyuan Gate in Datong's ancient city, will officially open next year, adding a new landmark to Shanxi's cultural tourism landscape that seamlessly blends historical depth with technological dynamism.
TuobaCity, developed by Datong Qilongyuan Sports Culture Media Co., Ltd., is a project deeply rooted in the historical legacy of Pingcheng as the ‘International Commercial Metropolis’ during the Northern Wei Dynasty. Following Emperor Tuoba Gui's establishment of Pingcheng as the capital in 398 AD, the city served as a pivotal hub where treasures from the Western Regions, silk from the Centra International Commercial Metropolis‘—after Tuoba Gui established Pingcheng as the capital in 398 AD, its extensive transport network drew treasures from the Western Regions, silk from the Central Plains, and furs from the northern steppes. 264 tribute missions fostered a scene where ’merchants from all corners gathered". Today, centred on the concept of ‘ancient-modern fusion,’ the project revives this millennium-old cultural splendour through a 5,000-square-metre outdoor Tuoba International Market and a 15,000-square-metre indoor immersive experience space.
The outdoor Tuoba International Market features 52 national cultural tourism pavilions, faithfully recreating the Northern Wei's commercial ecosystem where ‘trade flourished freely, with diverse goods mingling in vibrant coexistence.’ Visitors embark on a full-day immersion journey, beginning with the dawn city-opening ceremony. They traverse landscapes adorned with cultural totems of Western Region ethnic groups, participate in distinctive evening trade activities accompanied by lantern-lighting rituals, and conclude with closing-market blessings. Nine performance viewing zones and four scenic stages dynamically bring historical scenes to life—from Xianbei music and dance to Western Region acrobatics—creating a unique sensation of traversing between reality and fantasy.
Indoor spaces focus on the Northern Wei dynasty's cultural ethos of ‘veneration for martial prowess and literary refinement.’ The 12,000-square-metre Tuoba Cultural Immersion Zone is divided into three themes: ancient-style competitions, athletic contests, and leisurely games. Interactive activities like archery trials and equestrian simulations allow visitors to directly experience the Xianbei tribe's traditions of mounted archery and their heritage of ethnic integration. The adjacent 3,000-square-metre Western Regions culinary zone will introduce specialities from 46 nations, accommodating 600 diners simultaneously. This recreates the ‘Hu-Han fusion’ gastronomic culture of the era through taste.
‘Datong's essence lies in integration. Sixteen centuries ago, this land embraced all things; today we renew that spirit,’ "Project chief designer and director Liu Fei emphasised that Tuoba Sports City transcends mere historical replication. Through innovations like all-inclusive ticketing and modern interactive technologies, it enables visitors to engage with the city's inclusive heritage through immersive experiences. During the groundbreaking ceremony and international cooperation forum, 14 exhibitors from six nations—including Uganda and Canada—conducted specialised site visits, laying foundations for the global marketplace's international operations.
From the stone carvings of the Yungang Grottoes to the immersive experiences of Tuoba Sports City, Datong in Shanxi is continually enriching contemporary expressions of its historical and cultural heritage. The completion of this new cultural tourism landmark will not only fill a market gap for ‘dynamic historical experiences’ in Datong but also boost visitor overnight stays through its integrated ‘culture + sports + commerce’ model, injecting fresh momentum into the high-quality development of Shanxi's cultural tourism industry.
