In Lushan's misty peaks, love is a many-splendored thing

Among China's many picturesque mountains and rivers, one stands out for its unique blend of natural beauty and romantic symbolism: Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi province.

This picturesque site rose to national fame in 1980, when the film Romance on Lushan Mountain captivated audiences across the country. The movie not only introduces breathtaking images of Lushan's mist-shrouded peaks and verdant valleys, but also features a landmark moment in Chinese cinema — a screen kiss that broke long-standing taboos around on-screen intimacy. For many, it marked the beginning of a more open era in China's domestic film industry.

Now, Lushan Mountain is set to host a love-themed film week, enchanting tourists with cinematic tales of romance amid its breathtaking scenery.

The sixth Lushan International Romance Film Week will be held from Sept 5 to 11, with the theme Fall in Love Through Films. The event aims to promote a deep integration of film and tourism through various activities, including screenings of classic romance movies and immersive cultural and tourism experiences.

Li Longwu, director of the Jiangxi provincial film bureau, hopes the event will remind audiences of the emotional power of cinema, encourage them to discover love, believe in love, and to love courageously with the help of movies.

The 1980 blockbuster Romance on Lushan Mountain tells the story of the daughter of a retired Kuomintang general who comes back from the United States to visit Lushan Mountain and falls in love with the son of a People's Liberation Army general. Despite their contrasting backgrounds and the political tensions between their families, the two fall deeply in love.

The film's stunning cinematography captures the natural splendor of Lushan while conveying a hopeful message about love transcending social and ideological boundaries. More than 40 years later, it is still shown daily in a hillside cinema on Lushan Mountain.

The Lushan Scenic Area Management Bureau reports that, on average, approximately 250 out of every 10,000 visitors choose to relive its romance on screen.

Since 2020, the Lushan International Romance Film Week has become an annual event each September. It combines screenings of Chinese and international romance films featuring well-known actors, creative exchanges, and industry forums. The broader vision is to harness Lushan's cultural heritage and tourism resources to build a lasting reputation as a global landmark for romantic films.

"Lushan has been hosting the romance film week for several years in a row, aiming to create a cultural brand as the 'Mountain of Love'. We hope to further blend film culture with the unique scenery of the area," says Xiong Duming, mayor of Lushan.

In the lead-up to this year's festival, the Top Ten Romance Films of the New Century recommendation event, supported by the China Film Critics Association, has already begun. This event invites audiences to vote for the 10 most representative romantic films released between 2000 and 2024, chosen from a list of 50. The selected works, along with other films, will be shown during the week at multiple venues across Lushan, from indoor cinemas to outdoor theaters nestled in the landscape.

Adding star power, celebrity couple Chen Jianbin and Jiang Qinqin have been named ambassadors for this year's film week. Chen, a director and actor, says that Lushan Mountain is not only a culturally significant mountain but also a "sacred mountain" of love for many, thanks to the film Romance on Lushan Mountain.

"Love needs nurturing, and films need great works. We look forward to witnessing more touching love stories come to life and spread through the magic of cinema in this enchanting place," Chen says.

Lushan Mountain is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it boasts breathtaking landscapes with towering peaks, deep valleys and lush greenery. It has also been a source of inspiration for countless poets, artists and scholars over the centuries.