“Hello visitor! Welcome to Hangzhou West Lake!” A genial voice came from the earphone connecting to a blue machine as small as a walkman. This was the “intelligent tour guide” held in the hand of thirty citizens who were invited to Leifeng Pagoda scenic spot for a trial on September 13.

Citizens signed up for this activity covered three generations. Wearing the earphones, members of an experienced team headed to different scenic spots after leaving the assembly place with the “intelligent tour guide” hanging round their necks.

“The introduction is very detailed, and the voice is quite clear. This tour guide is very suitable for us elderly who enjoy travelling. ” Aunt Yang, a Hangzhou resident told the reporter. She came to Leifeng Pagoda early in the morning in case all of the trial machines were sent out.

The “intelligent tour guide” can automatically sense electrical signaling devices set up in scenic spots, and then begin to explain the history, the story of the place and folktales. The machine can find the right time to start the introduction, giving tourists the best view of the site.

On the surface of the machine is an electric map of West Lake, covering more than 20 main tourist sites. Every site explained is represented by a red light on the map, and if the tourist has visited a spot, the light beside the name of the spot will turn off.

“Up till now, more than 300 electrical signaling devices set up around the West Lake can basically satisfy the needs of tourists.” Liu Zhouyin said, the director of West Lake Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.