81 Shanxi scenic spots open free on China Tourism Day

A total of 81 scenic spots in North China's Shanxi province will be free to visitors in the upcoming China Tourism Day on May 19.

Free first entrance ticket on China Tourism Day started in 2013, as part of a series of promotion measures with the theme "Beautiful Shanxi Tour".

In addition to China Tourism Day on May 19, the province's state-owned and state holding attractions will also be free on World Tourism Day on Sept 27.

Moreover, visitors to the provinces' state-owned and state-run A-level scenic spots will get a 20 percent discount from March 1 to Nov 30, and a 40 percent discount from Dec 1 to the last day of February in the next year.

The province also encourages collective ownership and privately-owned scenic spots to implement these policies. As a result, of the 81 scenic spots with free entrance on May 19, only 49 are state-owned or state run scenic spots.

Local tourism authorities recommend that tourists call 12301, a hotline that can provide tourism information such as accommodation, tourism attractions, travel routes and travel agencies, to arrange travel schedules in Advance.