Chinese intangible cultural heritage shines at the Australian Open, with Guojiao 1573 Day playing a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

On January 28 local time, the 2026 Australian Open entered the semifinal stage. On court, top players battled fiercely with full effort; off court, as the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Horse approached, the Australian Open’s official partner and exclusive designated baijiu, Guojiao 1573, collaborated for the eighth year to create the special "Guojiao 1573 Day." Centered on Chinese intangible cultural heritage and accompanied by Year of the Horse blessings, this event played a cultural symphony of integration at the tennis festival in the Southern Hemisphere, allowing fans worldwide to appreciate traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage.

Intangible heritage³: Experience the beauty of Eastern intangible culture at Melbourne Park.

On the day of the event, the intangible heritage exhibition area at Court 1573 was bustling with visitors. The Guojiao 1573 × Chinese Liuli glassmaking craft “Radiant Blessings” artwork (hereafter “Radiant Blessings”) and Guojiao 1573 × traditional Chinese bamboo weaving craft “Brave the Waves” artwork (hereafter “Brave the Waves”) debuted spectacularly, becoming the center of attention and attracting numerous fans to admire them.

The “Radiant Blessings” artwork was crafted using national intangible heritage techniques—Liuli glassmaking and filigree inlay. The crystal clarity of the glass, the intricate filigree, and the brilliance of jewels combined beautifully under shifting light, blending millennia-old liquor heritage with festive culture through artistic expression. The “Brave the Waves” piece was created with traditional bamboo weaving and filigree inlay techniques; its base features bamboo leaves woven from thousands of evenly arranged spirals, symbolizing unity and harmony through the metaphor of warp and weft, reflecting Eastern wisdom. Guojiao 1573 proudly stands atop the crest of waves, inviting the world to admire the enduring aesthetic code of Chinese civilization.

Notably, besides the classic Guojiao 1573 packaging, the event also showcased the Australian Open commemorative edition. This product features the Australian Open theme and AO logo as its core visual, with colors inspired by the varying blues of the tournament courts. It pays tribute to all AO athletes and tennis fans, while deepening the meaning of Luzhou Laojiao’s crossover partnership with the Australian Open.

If the “Radiant Blessings” and “Brave the Waves” artworks represent “intangible heritage to be admired,” then Guojiao 1573 itself—brewed from the treasured 1573 national cellar pool and recognized in 2006 as part of the first batch of “National Intangible Cultural Heritage”—embodies “intangible heritage to be savored.” Coinciding with the Lunar New Year of the Horse, a millennia-old “intangible heritage to be experienced,” these three dimensions of heritage allowed attendees to immerse themselves in Chinese traditional culture through viewing craftsmanship, tasting fine liquor, and enjoying festive atmosphere.

“I never expected Eastern intangible culture to be so exquisite,” a local Melbourne fan exclaimed sincerely after experiencing the event.

Using sports as a medium, letting the world savor China.

Aligned with the Year of the Horse theme, interactive activities were enthusiastically held on site. Several ceremony attendants dressed in horse-face skirts carried auspicious signs such as “Success Gallops In,” “Score Rises Immediately,” and “Cheers Right Away,” moving between Court 1573 and Rod Laver Arena, sharing joyful moments with fans from around the world. From veteran fans to local visitors, many joined in to capture memories and share Chinese New Year blessings.

Everywhere, the vibrant Chinese red and lively horse motifs complemented the exquisite intangible heritage artworks, turning Melbourne Park into a joyful sea of Chinese New Year celebrations for global fans. The spirited “horse power” hopes transcended language barriers and touched hearts deeply.

The 2026 season marks the eighth year of partnership between Guojiao 1573 and the Australian Open. Over these eight years, they have jointly created themed experiences such as “Victory Moments,” “Champion’s Night,” “Court 1573 Naming,” and “1573 Theme Day,” co-founded the Australian Open Amateur Challenge, which has engaged over ten thousand Chinese amateur tennis players in seven years, and promoted the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wild Card tournament in Chengdu. Throughout this comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and long-term strategic cooperation, Guojiao 1573 has consistently used its fragrant baijiu as a cultural bridge, integrating Chinese culture into the top-tier event scene.

On court, tennis stars fiercely compete; off court, the “Chinese red” shines brightly alongside. Guojiao 1573 not only witnesses the passionate glory of competitive sports but also serves as a bridge for cross-cultural exchange—when foreign fans pause to admire the intricate craftsmanship of intangible heritage artworks and raise a glass to savor the fragrant liquor, Chinese skills and culture gain widespread recognition on the international stage, vividly illustrating a beautiful picture of cultural mutual appreciation.

Whether it is the lion dance lacquer fan of the Year of the Snake or the refined intangible heritage charm of the Year of the Horse, Guojiao 1573 has always adhered to its original mission of cultural inheritance. Looking ahead, Guojiao 1573 will continue to use the Australian Open as a window to deeply integrate the aroma of Chinese baijiu with outstanding traditional Chinese culture, allowing Eastern culture to shine on the global stage, accompanying athletes in their dreams and connecting fans’ passion, continuously writing the cultural story of “letting the world taste China.”