Datong, in Northern China's Shanxi province, brought in a total of 9.98 billion yuan ($1.60 billion) in tourism income in the first half of this year. The city welcomed 11.46 million visitors from China and abroad, an increase of 19.3 percent over the same period last year.

Datong's tourism bureau is working on the transformation of its tourism industry and the reinvention of its tourism brands. After thorough research on tourism trends among its residents this year, Datong is promoting rural, ecological and environmentally friendly tourism aimed at bringing tourists closer to nature. Self-guided travel has also gained popularity, and the government is taking measures to improve its related tourism infrastructures accordingly.

The city takes this as an opportunity to develop according to national planning initiatives alongside Beijing, Tianjin municipalities and Hebei province, and as such is integrating itself into the capital economic circle. The city government is using its new slogan "A Cool Summer in Datong" to attract Beijing tourists. It has also implemented a series of activities in Beijing and a variety of media promotions via China Central Television, Beijing Television, Beijing Youth Daily, Beijing Business Today and Radio Beijing Corporation.

Earnings from home and abroad are 9.88 billion yuan and $16.64 million respectively, both enjoying an increase compared to last year.