The city of Datong, Shanxi province, got "Globally influential Chinese cultural tourism city" recognition at a summit meeting at the secong Chinese cultural tourism brand construction event and awards ceremony, on April 12, at People's Daily, in Beijing.

Sponsors of the summit are People's Daily, China Tourism News, the Chinese Culture Promotion Society’s Tourism Culture Research Center, and Phoenix Satellite TV.

The Chinese cultural tourism activity began back last Nov 9, and for five months has seen millions of people from China and abroad engaged in online voting on their favorites. The tally and expert review used six cultural tourism brands for cities, towns, scenery, people and slogans.

The city of Datong has been gaining in popularity with tourists from all around the world, especially for its achievements in renovating the old city, providing more tourist infrastructure and attractions and in promoting itself as a place of history, coal, summer resorts, Buddhism, and art.

Edited by Zhou Yuanyuan and Roger Bradshaw