The 12th round of the Hunan Football League, also known as "Xiang Chao," was held in Yongzhou City, central China's Hunan Province, on Saturday, igniting public enthusiasm for football and boosting local tourism. The main event saw the Yongzhou team host the Changde team, with Changde winning 2–1. Despite the local team's narrow loss, the match demonstrated how major sporting events can invigorate urban vitality and stimulate cultural tourism consumption. The league attracted a significant influx of tourists. Beyond the football competition, visitors immersed themselves in Yongzhou's historical and natural attractions, such as Jiuyi Mountain and the Ancient City of Lingling. "As a native of Yongzhou, I can say that the Hunan Super League has significantly increased visitor flows to our city. Walking through the streets and alleys, everyone can feel the surge in foot traffic and the growth of the local economy. Notably, visitor traffic from Yongzhou accounts for roughly 80 percent of the league's total attendance. The economic impact of the matches is huge," said Tang Maoguo, secretary-general of the Yongzhou Enterprise Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. Su Hantao, a volunteer with the Volunteer Committee of the Beijing Hunan Chamber of Commerce, came to Yongzhou for the event and experienced the city’s rich cultural heritage firsthand. "While watching the Hunan Super League matches, I also visited cultural landmarks such as Jiuyi Mountain, the Ancient City of Lingling, and the Wuxi Stele Forest. The kindness and simplicity of Yongzhou people left a deep impression on me," he said. Su also highlighted a memorable night banquet in the 2,000-year-old Ancient City of Lingling — a celebration that blended traditional culture, the legacy of Tang Dynasty (618-907) literati Liu Zongyuan, and the warm hospitality of Yongzhou residents. Featuring local specialties like blood duck and Dong’an chicken, the banquet offered visitors an immersive cultural experience that showcased both the city’s historic charm and the vibrancy of its night economy. SHOTLIST: Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, central China - Nov 29, 2025 1. Various of football match in progress; Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, central China - Nov 29, 2025 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tang Maoguo, secretary-general, Yongzhou Enterprise Chamber of Commerce in Beijing: "As a native of Yongzhou, I can say that the Hunan Super League has significantly increased visitor flows to our city. Walking through the streets and alleys, everyone can feel the surge in foot traffic and the growth of the local economy. Notably, visitor traffic from Yongzhou accounts for roughly 80 percent of the league's total attendance. The economic impact of the matches is huge."; Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, central China - Nov 29, 2025 3. Various of football match in progress, supporters cheering; Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, central China - Nov 29, 2025 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Su Hantao, volunteer, Beijing Hunan Chamber of Commerce: "While watching the Hunan Super League matches, I also visited cultural landmarks such as Jiuyi Mountain, the Ancient City of Lingling, and the Wuxi Stele Forest. The kindness and simplicity of Yongzhou people left a deep impression on me."; 5. Aerial shots of illuminated buildings; 6. Various of performance in progress; spectators. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]