Ancient capital Luoyang welcomes the world: 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue to kick off Oct. 9 in Henan

Luoyang, an ancient capital in central China's Henan Province, will host the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue – Luoyang from Oct. 9 to 11, alongside the 7th International Ancient Capitals Forum. This year's theme is "Sustaining the Cultural Lineage of Ancient Capitals, Advancing Mutual Learning Among Urban Civilizations."

Around 100 guests from China and abroad — mayors, diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations, and experts and scholars from four continents — are expected to attend the three-day event.

The event will feature one main dialogue and three themed sessions, covering cultural heritage preservation, smart manufacturing and urban renewal. Rather than meeting only in conference rooms, participants will take part in on-site visits alongside the discussions, exchanging ideas grounded in what they see firsthand.

The three themed dialogues will take place at the Longmen Grottoes, China YTO Group Corporation and Luoyi Ancient City — each site corresponding to one of the three focus areas above, showcasing Luoyang's practical experience.

By pairing visits to cultural landmarks and industrial enterprises with hands-on intangible cultural heritage experiences, the event will give participants a view of Luoyang's history, its industrial development and Heluo culture, the traditions of the Yellow River and Luo River region that the city sits at the center of. Organizers say the format will give attendees concrete material for discussions on urban governance, heritage and industrial transformation.

Luoyang served as the capital of 13 dynasties and was where the Silk Road met the Grand Canal, making it a fitting setting for discussions on heritage preservation and urban growth.

Guided by China's State Council Information Office, the Global Mayors Dialogue series has been held in cities including Hangzhou, Nanning and Shanghai since September 2024, bringing together city leaders and representatives from around the world to exchange ideas on urban development and cooperation.