Cultural tourism industry promoted in Pingyao

Over the past few years the tertiary sector -- highlighted by the cultural tourism industry -- has become the growth engine for economic development in Pingyao in Jinzhong city, Shanxi province, according to local media reports.

Officials said that with the development of culture and tourism, Pingyao county has continuously integrated its tourism resources -- and successfully launched a series of influential cultural brands.

They added that in addition, the county had accelerated strategic investment and comprehensive management, as well as the upgrade of Pingyao Ancient City Scenic Spot.

Also benefitting from increasing promotion was  Pingyao’s tourism and sightseeing trains, convention centers, theme parks, resort hotels, museums and other new business projects.

The deeper integration of cultural tourism also had social benefits, officials said.

They said that integrated all-for-one tourism had seen a boom in the county.

Internationally, the county has become a sister city of Provence in France and Kyakhta in Russia. Domestically, Pingyao has become a sister city of Lijiang in Yunnan province, Hongjiang in Hunan province and the Ancient Town of Fenghuang in Hunan province.

Last year, Pingyao received more than 15 million tourists, representing year-on-year increase of 19.38 percent.

Total tourism revenue came in at 18.078 billion yuan ($2.56 billion), up 20.25 percent on the previous year.