The Sixth Western China Symphony Week opens in Guiyang from Sept 6 to 14. [Photo/gywb.cn] 

The Sixth Western China Symphony Week was launched in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, from Sept 6 to 14.

Twelve symphony orchestras from various provinces and regions, including Shaanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, and the Tibet and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions, took turns performing in the renowned "City of Music". 

In 2009, China's first private symphony orchestra, the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra, was established. To cultivate a local classical music audience, the orchestra set affordable ticket prices from its inception, with student tickets priced between 10 to 15 yuan ($2.12) and adult tickets ranging from 99 to 399 yuan. 

This initiative allowed residents to enjoy symphonies right on their doorsteps. The orchestra has frequently participated in Guiyang's roadside concerts, contributing significantly to the city's vibrant musical culture.

Following the conclusion of the symphony week on Sept 15, the Ningxia Symphony Orchestra will step out of the concert hall and onto the stage at one of Guiyang's roadside concerts. 

Since their debut in July 2023, these roadside concerts have held over 200 performances by the end of August this year. The live audience has surpassed 2.27 million, over 273 million have watched via live stream, and related online content has reached nearly 9 billion views.

Guiyang has created a new consumption scene of "music+" and is pioneering a new cultural, commercial, and tourism integration model.

During the Guiyang roadside concerts, foot traffic in various districts significantly increased. The concerts have become a major tourist attraction, greatly enhancing nighttime economic activity in the city.

In July this year, Guiyang's roadside concerts, in collaboration with Guiyang's cultural and tourism sectors, ventured into Ningxia's Wuzhong, Qingtongxia, Yanchi, and Zhongwei, becoming a crucial platform for promoting Guiyang's city brand.