The total revenue from tourism in Datong city, Shanxi province,has reached 6.892 billion yuan during the first half of 2012, increasing 17.45 percent and completing 42.41 percent of the current year's plan.

Datong has taken on a new look as the coal rich city has transformed into a tree-lined "green city". The days when foreign visitors wore masks to visit Nine Dragon Wall are gone. The city has become more appealing as repair work on ancient walls and the newly constructed Yudong District continue to attract more and more tourists.

"Datong has changed greatly. You can see that the roads in the new district are smooth and broad. Yungang Grotto and Yanhua Temple are more appealing attractions after the repair work," said a Datong local surnamed Ji. Returning to his hometown from Beijing, Ji witnessed the difference and claimed that, "In the past, you could travel around here in only one day, but now, you need at least two or three days."

Since 2008, Datong has embarked on projects to repair ancient buildings and develop a new district which would bring back the majesty and splendor of the Yungang Grottoes and Hengshan Mountain. These sites will attract travelers from all over the world and lead to an increase in tourism revenue.

The city is also home to various festivals and activities. The International Tourism Festival and International Sculpture Exhibition, for example, are excellent events which can introduce the diverse culture of the city to visitors.