Visitors take photos in Lianhua Mountain scenic area. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

Yangquan city in North China's Shanxi province recently saw four tourist attractions win national A-rated honors. 

Shuishen Mountain scenic area was designated as a national 3A-rated tourist attraction while Lianhua Mountain scenic area, Pingxi Culture Park – which is based on the theme of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) – and Bailing Mountain scenic area in Waling village were all recognized as 2A-rated tourist attractions.

Shuishen Mountain scenic area, located 5 kilometers northeast of Yuxian county, has been collaborating with Yuxian Botanical Garden and Gaocheng Mountain Forest Park to create a holiday leisure resort by capitalizing on its geographical advantages, distinctive ecological landscapes, and precious cultural relics. 

Lianhua Mountain scenic area is named in honor of its lotus-like shape. Spanning an area of 4.5 square kilometers, it has well-developed infrastructure including roads, greenery, water, electricity, and communication facilities. Tourist facilities such as rural homestay businesses and fruit-picking parks are nearing fruition. 

Pingxi Culture Park has developed nearly 60 tourism souvenirs with local characteristics. 

Apart from cypresses, Bailing Mountain scenic area also features distinctive northern Chinese residential courtyards dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.