2026 Budapest Silk Road Civilisational Dialogue & Best From China – Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Cultural Creativity Expo
The Best From China EXPO 2026 took place between 19 and 21 June 2026 at Bálna Budapest, as the main exhibition programme of the 2026 Budapest Silk Road Civilisation Dialogue.
The EXPO, featuring 22 exhibitors from China representing the cultural, tourism, creative and technology sectors, showcased traditional crafts, contemporary ceramic art, cultural tourism offerings, cultural products based on artificial intelligence and interactive experiences. The programme combined heritage with contemporary design and technology, offering European audiences a multifaceted view of modern Chinese culture.
The three-day programme began on 19 June with a professional day, followed by public days on 20 and 21 June. In addition to the exhibition, the programme included the Silk Road Civilisational Dialogue, the „Nihao China” tourism promotion, „Tea for Harmony” presentations, artist talks, live demonstrations, cultural experiences and professional networking.
The event was organised independently by the Eurasia ECT Development Centre.
Exhibitors from China in the fields of culture, tourism, the creative industries and technology
One professional day and two public days
Representatives from government, culture, tourism, business, the arts and the media
Online registrations received for the event
Visitors to the three-day programme
Total views of Xinhua’s reports in Chinese and English as at 10 July 2026
The event opened on 19 June with the participation of representatives from government, cultural and tourism organisations, museums, businesses, airlines, the media and the arts sector. The professional day provided an opportunity for institutional dialogue between China and Europe, tourism promotion and professional networking.
Chinese and Hungarian masters of black pottery came together to discuss how traditional craftsmanship can be integrated into contemporary life. Liangzhu black pottery, rooted in five thousand years of Chinese civilisation, entered into a dialogue with the more than three-hundred-year-old tradition of black pottery from Nádudvar in Hungary. The artists discussed heritage conservation, the transmission of living traditions and creative renewal.
The tourism presentations showcased destinations, cultural itineraries, travel services and air links between China and Hungary. Three Hungarian travel agencies introduced Chinese itineraries to local travellers, linking cultural interest with tangible opportunities to experience China first-hand.
Three special performances brought together the tea ceremony, traditional music, Yue opera, calligraphy and painting. Through performances, tastings and audience interactions, the programme offered an immersive encounter with the aesthetics and philosophy of Chinese tea culture.
The exhibition featured porcelain, celadon, cloisonné, Yixing pottery, silk, embroidery, bronze art, Liangzhui black pottery and contemporary ceramic works. Artist talks, live demonstrations and public programmes encouraged visitors to explore how traditional crafts continue to evolve in contemporary life.
Cultural products and interactive technologies based on artificial intelligence showcased Chinese creativity from a contemporary perspective. Highlighted projects included the Dunhuang-inspired Lumanman AI character, an AI companion cat and the Xiaoji intelligent robot, offering new examples of how technology can support cultural storytelling and emotional engagement.
The EXPO brought together Chinese exhibitors with European museums, educational institutions, tourism organisations, galleries, design firms and cultural partners. Discussions continued even after the event, covering areas such as museum product development, cultural education, contemporary art, tourism cooperation, lifestyle design and cultural applications based on artificial intelligence.
The event not only helped to raise the profile of the cultural sector, but also fostered the development of long-term professional relationships and market knowledge.
The event received extensive press coverage in Chinese, Hungarian and international media. The Xinhua News Agency published reports, photographs, video reports, interviews and live coverage in both Chinese and English on its domestic and international channels. Further reports appeared in the People’s Daily Overseas Edition, on the website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Hungary, on the China Centre of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion website, in China Tourism News, on ATV and on partner platforms.
Total views of Xinhua’s Chinese- and English-language reports on the event, as at 10 July 2026.
View the report on the Budapest Silk Road Civilisation Dialogue in the Xinhua News app.
An international media outlet republished or cited the Xinhua interview on opportunities for Hungarian–Chinese cooperation.
The Best From China EXPO continues to evolve as a curated platform that brings together Chinese heritage, contemporary creativity, tourism and international cooperation. Building on the experiences of 2026, the next event will also create meaningful opportunities for cultural organisations, artists, tourism partners and creative enterprises to engage with European audiences and partners.
