During the May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, Shanxi province's cultural tourism market welcomed a wave of international tourists, who captured the cultural vibrancy of Shanxi with their cameras, giving high praise to the region's tourism offerings.

"We came specifically to experience the culture surrounding the Shanxi merchants, and we were amazed by the unique cultural charm of Shanxi after just one meal," said Emily from Australia on May 4. She excitedly recorded a performance at the Pingyao Grand Theatre with her phone, sharing it with family and friends. The innovative "dining + intangible cultural heritage" model introduced by the Ancient City of Pingyao has attracted both domestic and international tourists.

Since the end of last year, China has greatly relaxed and optimized its visa-free transit policy, allowing foreign tourists to enjoy up to 10 days of visa-free travel in Taiyuan and Datong. This has opened a new window for international visitors to more deeply experience Shanxi's culture. "These 10 days have allowed us to more fully appreciate the charm of both ancient and modern Shanxi," remarked a group of Serbian tourists on May 3 at Taiyuan's Fantawild Oriental Heritage.

On May 2, a travel delegation from Mongolia visited Shanxi to explore potential tourism offerings. They had a thrilling experience at Datong Weidu Water World, praising exciting projects like water wire stunts and Star Trek. The delegation plans to customize half-day summer outings for Mongolian tourists.

Additionally, a direct flight route from Datong to Ulaanbaatar is set to open soon, with travel agencies developing cross-border travel routes. During the May Day holiday, Shanxi's unique tourism products have also garnered significant attention from international travel merchants.