Shanxi tourism is springing into blossom

Visitors eat local specialties in the ancient village of Shuiyukou in Yongji, Yuncheng city. SUN RUISHENG/CHINA DAILY

"We should take advantage of our agricultural resources to boost village tourism," says Yuncheng's foreign affairs and cultural tourism bureau head, Li Sujie.

Nearly 2,700 square kilometers of apricot, peach, pear, apple and cherry orchards burn with bright hues from late March to mid-April.

The high-speed railway has cut travel times from Shanxi's capital, Taiyuan, from at least five hours to two. More than 20 trains travel between the cities daily.

Preferential policies have been introduced to lure tourists to Yuncheng's flowers, Taiyuan South Railway Station ticket office director Guo Xiaoqing says.

Visitors with high-speed train tickets from Taiyuan to Yuncheng, Wenxi and Yongji can enjoy 50 percent off entrance fees at 11 must-see scenic spots within three days around the end of April.

Shuttle buses head directly from the railway station to all the scenic spots, Guo says.

Visitors can also enjoy original folk performances and local cuisine.

They may float on the Yellow River on a sheepskin raft, a tradition dating to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).