Shanxi tourism booms over National Day holiday

Some 40 million people visited Shanxi province over the National Day holiday, bringing in 25.32 billion yuan ($3.79 billion) in tourism revenue, up 18.6 percent on the same period last year.

During the seven-day vacation, the province welcomed 25.25 million day-trippers and 14.61 million overnight tourists.

Thirty-six major tourist attractions across Shanxi, especially Pingyao ancient city and Mianshan Mountains, gained popularity among visitors.

Local officials said that the boom in tourism during the holiday was partially due to the organized activities and convenient service at scenic spots.

High tech services have been rolled out, such as online booking and e-guides, and have proved a great success at tourist attractions like Qikou Ancient Town, and Yunqiushan Mountains.

Officials noted a recent trend towards visitors combining recreation with culture, arts, healthcare and outdoor sports. More people tended to appreciate cultural performances, go camping or enjoy spas rather than crowd some of the more typical hot spots this holiday.