Pingyao draws attention at Japan Castle Expo 2023

China's booth at Japan Castle Expo 2023 attracts large crowds. [Photo provided to goshanxi.com.cn] 

The Ancient City of Pingyao from North China's Shanxi province received widespread attention from local Japanese people and tourism insiders at Japan Castle Expo 2023 in Yokohama on Dec 16 and 17. 

The China National Tourist Administration's Tokyo Office set up a dedicated Chinese booth at the expo, focusing on three castles in the Ancient City of Pingyao, the City Wall of Nanjing, and Xi'an City Wall while promoting cultural tourism. 

With a history of over 2,800 years, the Ancient City of Pingyao is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. 

Various castle-themed posters and exhibits of China are on display at the expo. [Photo provided to goshanxi.com.cn]

At the booth, meticulously prepared Japanese-language brochures and travel guides, cultural and tourism promotional videos and posters for the Ancient City of Pingyao were distributed and displayed. 

In addition, Pingyao polished lacquerware, an intangible cultural heritage item from Pingyao, was highlighted at the expo, buoying the mutual appreciation of lacquerware art between China and Japan and further promoting Chinese traditional culture to the world.

Initiated in 2016, the Japan Castle Expo is the largest castle-themed exhibition in the country. Its aim is to revitalize and promote the development and inheritance of castle culture worldwide, facilitating mutual learning and exchanges among castle enthusiasts from different countries and regions.

This year's expo attracted castle-related political and business groups from Japan and around the world, with about 23,000 professional visitors and local residents attending for visits and exchanges.