The Datong municipal government of Shanxi province has recommended eight themed tourist routes at a tourism promotion conference held in Beijing on Sept 23. The conference was one of a series of events in the ongoing Datong Cultural Tourism Festival.

The eight tourism routes offer special opportunities to appreciate ancient Chinese Buddhist architecture, hike on Hengshan Mountain, sightsee in the ancient Chinese capital, experience modern city life and visit the remote frontier fortress.

Datong Vice-Mayor Cao Xuecheng attended the conference and delivered a speech on Datong’s tourism development.

Supporting tourism facilities and relevant preferential policies were also introduced at the conference. A travel agency participant told a reporter that Datong is bestowed with special advantages to develop its tourism industry. Its cool summer weather and the recent old city renewal project, which focuses on improving the ecological environment and restoring ancient buildings, have been influential in encouraging tourism.

Datong was the capital during the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534) and has rich cultural and tourism resources. In recent years, Datong has invigorated city culture and made great efforts to create a branded ancient capital encompassing the beauty and virtue of the Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420). The city is undergoing a transformation with the construction of ongoing projects such as the National Mineral Park, Creative Mine Industry Park as well as museums, theaters, art galleries, libraries and sports centers.