The lantern festival at Osmanthus Gardens in Hastings' Cornwall Park has gained international attention, after the main Chinese government news site published a story on it.
More than 18 regional news sites in China then picked up on the story, spreading it to millions across China, Hastings Councillor and project lead Kevin Watkins said.
"The attention Hastings is getting through these projects is incredibly valuable," he said.
New Zealand-based Chinese media brought crews to the gardens, sending images and the story back to China.
As well as the lantern festival, which is in its 10th year, Hastings is undertaking a year called The Amazing China Hastings Year of Tourism, which falls under a national, year-long programme, The China-New Zealand Year of Tourism 2019.