Pingyao launches online music video contest

A news conference publicizing the first Pingyao original music competition on Douyin-- a popular Chinese video sharing platform -- was held in Pingyao county, in northern Shanxi province on Jan 17, according to local officails. 

The competition, being sponsored by the local government, will last for two and a half months. 

Officials said that everyone can take part in the event by posting Pingyao-related videos with background music called Traveling in Pingyao and a tag of traveling in Pingyao.

With the partnership of Douyin, street performances by singers, folk dancers and noodle-making shows will be staged through videos on Douyin. They will promote the county's annual Spring Festival celebrations, called Pingyao Chinese New Year, as well as raise the profile of the Ancient City of Pingyao on the video sharing platform.

Officials said the event is the first step for Pingyao in cultural tourism short video marketing and aims to let more people know about and appreciate Pingyao through Douyin, said Wang Xuan, director of the publicity department of Pingyao county government.

One most popular award, with a bonus of 50,000 yuan ($7,300) and 10 excellent works awards, with bonus of 2,000 yuan for each, will be selected and given to the winners once the competition has finished.