An art exhibition kicks off on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street on May 18. [Photo/WeChat account: shhuangpu]

An art exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland kicked off on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street in Shanghai on May 18.

The exhibition, marking the first leg of its national tour, provides a captivating exploration of Macao's World Heritage Sites through artistic expressions while also highlighting the local cartoon character, Whatelephant.

Drawing inspiration from the real-life journey of wild Asian elephants trekking northward in Yunnan province, Whatelephant's narrative unfolds as it ventures away from its herd, encountering human kindness along the way before a heartwarming reunion — a poignant parallel to Macao's historical return.

Beyond Macao, the organizers have collaborated with artists to craft unique pieces inspired by Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. The artworks will not only be displayed in the national tour but also be feautured at the upcoming Whatelephant Art Space Exhibition in Macao.

Running parallel to the Shanghai Shopping Festival, an innovative AI-powered game, "Butterfly Catching", was introduced, allowing participants to embark on a virtual butterfly hunt to secure discount coupons that can be used at local establishments.

The interactive activity has attracted the participation of seven major shopping malls, including Shanghai Shimao Festival City and Shanghai New World Daimaru. Through the distribution of nearly 50,000 coupons, shoppers have collectively enjoyed savings exceeding 10 million yuan ($1.38 million) to date.

In addition, in a demonstration of their commitment to social responsibility, the organizers have partnered with charitable organizations in both cities to launch fundraising campaigns benefitting nursing homes, orphanages, and animal welfare institutions.