Shanxi promotes rich traditional culture(2)

Tourists visit the wall of Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi. (ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY)

In Huangcheng village in Yangcheng county, rural tourism has become a new leading industry.

The village was the birthplace of Chen Tingjing, a prominent minister during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). He was not only a teacher of Emperor Kangxi but also the chief editor of the Kangxi Dictionary, a Chinese dictionary published in 1716 and considered from the time of its publishing until the early 20th century to be the most authoritative reference for written Chinese characters.

Today, Chen's residence, known as the House of the Huangcheng Chancellor, a well-protected architectural complex from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties, is celebrated as "the first mansion of northern China". It attracts numerous domestic and international tourists with its unique charm and historical heritage.

Chen Xiaoshuan, an NPC deputy and head of Huangcheng village, said, "This Spring Festival, we introduced many intangible cultural heritage performances and village fairs to meet the diverse tourism consumption needs."

Last year, he said, the House of the Huangcheng Chancellor Group received 2 million visitors, generating over 100 million yuan in direct tourism revenue. The village has also embraced modern technology, using big data and artificial intelligence to enhance the tourist experience with smart guides and online booking.

The increasing interest among young people in historical sites has spurred a movement for the preservation of ancient buildings, said Hang Kan, an NPC deputy and director of Yungang Research Institute, which administers the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in Datong city. He said the grottoes have seen nearly 4.5 million visitors since 2024.

The Yungang Grottoes have been undergoing digital preservation since 2001, with two-thirds of the caves already digitally recorded.

Hang said that using augmented reality to bring the grottoes to life allows visitors to experience their grandeur virtually.

The popular activity of "high-fiving" the Giant Buddha statue from a distance has become a must-do for young visitors.

The Shanxi delegation proposed the creation of a Demonstration Zone for the Inheritance and Transformation of Chinese Excellent Culture, aiming to enhance the international influence of Shanxi's world heritage sites such as the Yungang Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient City and Mount Wutai.

The initiative seeks to establish Shanxi as a global cultural exchange center, making the province a showcase for the harmonious integration of China's excellent traditional culture and modern achievements.