Tourists promenade through a street in Datong. [Photo/Datong Daily]

In recent years, Datong city has promoted its new cultural and tourism industries, creating popular attractions and boosting tourism spending. 

This has driven significant growth in the tourism sector and supported its rural revitalization to boot.

To help make this happen, the city has expanded its tourism offerings and extended its industry supply chain. Iconic sites like the Yungang Grottoes and Hengshan Mountain have been upgraded, while attractions in surrounding counties have been developed significantly.

Eight regional tourism routes and several cultural facilities have been launched, underscoring the comprehensive revival in tourism. .

New tourism dynamics are emerging – with "intangible cultural heritage + tourism," suburban water activities, vacation rentals and camping becoming key growth areas.

In Datong's ancient city, holiday performances, traditional activities and exhibitions are accelerating the integration of intangible cultural heritage with tourism.

Adding to the momentum, suburban village tourism is booming, with events like music festivals attracting thousands of visitors and generating significant revenue.

The lights go on at a popular camping site in Datong. [Photo/Datong Daily]

Camping tourism is thriving in the city's Yunzhou district, where water activities and camping have become major draws. During the Dragon Boat Festival, 16 campsites received over 40,000 visitors, generating substantial income. New attractions, like the Forget Worry Farm, offer great experiences in such things as forest education and family entertainment.

Rural tourism is contributing to rural revitalization in Lingqiu county – enhancing its rural beauty, agricultural efficiency and boosting the incomes of farmers. Elsewhere, Yunzhou district is developing over 10 camping bases and integrating regional tourism resources to foster robust growth.