Guests attending the 2024 China (Shanxi) Health Industry Development Conference activities visit a scenic spot in Jincheng, Shanxi province, on Oct 19, 2024. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2024 China (Shanxi) Health Industry Development Conference activities kicked off on Friday in Jincheng city, Shanxi province. It attracted over 400 attendees, including experts and scholars of various cultural tourism and health fields from across the country.

"Promoting the development of the health industry is an important measure to implement the Healthy China strategy," Zheng Jianbang, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, said at the opening ceremony. "It is a strategic choice to better meet the increasing health needs of the people and is gradually becoming a new engine to drive economic and social development."

"Actively exploring the integration of cultural tourism and health industry with industrial transformation and rural revitalization will add luster to the high-quality development of the industries, contributing to the modernization of Shanxi with Chinese characteristics," said Zheng.

Jincheng, which has a deep historical and cultural heritage that comes with its unique natural ecological environment, is accelerating the construction of a national cultural tourism and health model city and a well-known cultural tourism destination.

During the 2024 China (Shanxi) Health Industry Development Conference series activities, cyclists participate in a national open cycling championship in Gaoping, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"We will continue to strengthen healthcare for all ages and explore and improve eight models, including cultural nourishment, resort vacations and forest healthcare," said Wang Zhen, Party secretary of the city.

Designated as a "World Health Demonstration City" by the United Nations, Jincheng has 40 nationally-recognized historical and cultural towns and villages, taking the lead in the country.

Recently, the popularity of the game Black Myth: Wukong has attracted tourists to ancient buildings in Jincheng such as Yuhuang Temple, Tiefo Temple and Xixi Erxian Temple.

"Taking the exceptionally popular game as an example, IP utilization should focus on speed and localization," Wei Haibin, co-founder of Dalian Betop Culture Technology, said at the Elite Dialogue of Cultural Tourism and Health Industry, part of the activities held on Friday. "Jincheng can create its own IP and target young people for the cultural tourism and health industry."

During the activities, nearly 300 domestic and foreign cyclists participated in a national open cycling championship in Gaoping.

"There is quite beautiful scenery along the race route, and the services at the rest stops are excellent," said a racer, Liu Huifeng. "We are happy to take part in the high-level competition."