Nine counties and county-level cities in North China's Shanxi province were included in two lists, entitled "2020 China's Top 100 Counties and County-level Cities of Tourism Competitiveness" and "2020 China's Top 100 Counties and County-level Cities With Tourism Development Potential", according to a report on the competitiveness of China's county tourism sector released on Nov 12.

Pingyao, Hongtong, Yangcheng and Lingshi counties -- as well as the county level city of Jiexiu -- made it onto the list of the "2020 China's Top 100 Counties and County-level Cities of Tourism Competitiveness". Meanwhile, Huguan and Wuxiang counties, Fenyang and Yongji county level cities were on the "2020 China's Top 100 Counties and County-level Cities With Tourism Development Potential" list.

The report was jointly released by Competitiveness Think Tank, China Economic Herald, China Information Development Research Institute of China Information Industry Association and Beijing Zhongxin Institute of Urban Planning and Design.

It comprehensively reviewed the development of county tourism in China and completed an evaluation of the comprehensive competitiveness and the development potential of county tourism in the country.

The comprehensive competitiveness evaluation mainly took into account 34 indicators in the six areas of county tourism resources, tourism economy vitality, convenience of tourism facilities, the ecological environment, effectiveness of government promotions and the reputation of their tourism brands.

Meanwhile, the evaluation of counties with tourism development potential was based on 24 indicators in four areas, namely potential in resource development, market expansion, fundamental support and government promotions.