DANCERS dressed as Song Dynasty (960-1279) maids received applause from spectators who themselves were wearing traditional Chinese-style clothing known as hanfu. The performance was staged at the Jinci Museum in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, and the immersive experience was part of a cultural festival held in the city recently. The festival also included a photo contest, a hanfu show performed by teenagers and poetry recitations. Tourists dressed in hanfu were given free admission to the museum. Li Xintong, 20, was among the visitors. A history major at a university in Shanxi, she has been interested in traditional Chinese culture since childhood. “Shanxi has a rich cultural heritage. I have made plans to visit 50 historical sites in my spare time,” she said. In recent years, many new tourism offerings have been created through the integration of culture, art and technology, which has had a profound impact on the travel habits of many people. Yu Guodong, who has been in the tourism sector for more than 20 years, said that tourists used to go on trips that packed numerous destinations into a short period. Trips that offered the chance to travel to several cities in a matter of days were once popular. “Nowadays, the younger generation likes more in-depth and even customized tours, and popular new destinations pop up through people sharing photos and videos on social media platforms,” Yu said. Near a salt lake in Yuncheng, Shanxi, is a newly opened bed-and-breakfast art village. “It became a popular destination even before we began promotion. Young people are so good at discovering new places for fun,” said Li Jie, general manager of the Beijing Xiangyu Tourism Development Co. Many visitors have posted short videos of their stay in the village, in which they chill while enjoying the view of the colorful salt lake at dusk, set up their tents, sample local specialties, or make handicrafts at fun sessions. The videos have not only received thousands of likes but have also inspired many viewers to visit. “To understand a place, people need to start with its folk culture,” said Feng Qing, a travel blogger. “People who love in-depth travel not only visit tourist destinations but also explore local customs and street delicacies.” Geng Yeqiang, a professor at Shanxi University’s School of Economics and Management, said, “The integration of culture and tourism will better meet the demand for diversified tours.” (Xinhua) | 