The first tourist group from North China's Shanxi province to Russia, consisting of 147 passengers, arrived at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport on May 11, concluding their eight-day tour in Russia.

The first tourist group from Shanxi to Russia arrives at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport on May 11. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

To meet the travel demands of both national and local tourists heading to Russia, during this year's May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, Taiyuan resumed the operation of a direct charter flight route from Taiyuan to Moscow. The first tourist group visited Moscow and St. Petersburg, experiencing the local customs, history and culture, and savoring local delicacies and vodka during the trip.

"The tourism routes we designed have left our tourists many wonderful memories, and they also shared the captivating photos they took during the journey," said Yang Yang, the tour leader. Yang also expressed that international travel can promote mutual understanding and exchanges among people from different countries.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, as well as the beginning of the China-Russia Cultural Year.

This charter flight route is the first intercontinental route launched in Shanxi in 2024. It was organized by Shanxi Baohua International Travel Agency Co, aiming to further boost confidence in the cultural and tourism market, deepen international tourism exchanges and cooperation, and promote Shanxi as an internationally renowned cultural tourism destination.