A scene from the animation trailer [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The producers of a 52-episode cartoon series named Guardians of the Ancient City, which is themed around the culture of the Ancient City of Pingyao in North China's Shanxi province, unveiled a trailer for the production on Sept 10. 

The cartoon is a joint venture by the government of Pingyao county and Unicom Wo Anime Culture Technology Co, after the two sides signed a partnership agreement last year.

The producers said it will present the scenery of the Ancient City of Pingyao and local specialties such as Pingyao beef and Pingyao polished lacquerware.

It will also showcase local cultural symbols including Piaohao (an ancient financial institution that specialized in the exchange business) and Biaoju (an ancient Chinese institution dedicated to property or personal safety protection), to open a window to the global audience on Pingyao and help people learn about the UNESCO World Heritage Site's landscapes, culture and food.

A panoramic view in the cartoon depicting the Ancient City of Pingyao [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

It's expected that the cartoon will hit the screens of the major Chinese TV channels in 2021 and various internet platforms simultaneously. 

The Pingyao county government will then build an animation theme park in the local Tianlu Lake Cultural Tourism Industrial Park.

In addition, the animation production team of Unicom Wo Anime Culture Technology Co will stage animation exhibitions, festivals and fine art displays -- to enable more young people to learn about and appreciate Pingyao and its culture through the animation and help boost local cultural tourism.