3. Internet plus tourism called for transformation of the tourist industry.

Shanxi province held a tourist development and Internet plus conference on Oct 16, 2015, at which the province's tourist bureau signed a strategic cooperation agreement on supporting tourism development with 10 financial institutions as well as agreements with Internet operators and e-business travel operators.

The province said it will hold an annual tourism development conference starting in 2016.

Dayu Ferry of the Yellow River [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

4. Scenic spots renovated washrooms as part of facilities improvement.

Scenic spots all over Shanxi province invested 178 million yuan in constructing and renovating 737 washrooms in 2015, as part of the efforts to improve tourist infrastructure and support facilities.

In addition, the Shanxi tourist bureau put 1.76 billion yuan into constructing 346.8 kilometers of highway and 20 million yuan into renovating parking lots and pathways at rural tourist sites.

5. Shanxi improved tourist market order.

Shanxi province's Wutai Mountain scenic spot had improved management and received zero complaints during the National Day holiday after it was warned about disorderly management in 2015.

The Shanxi tourist bureau greatly improved market orderliness, conducting 2,352 inspections and examining 3018 travel agencies, 320 starred restaurants, and 4,900 tour guides.

Wangmangling scenic area [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

6. Tourism in rural areas boomed.

The government has offered funds and policies to help rural areas and rural residents escape poverty by developing rural tourism.

In 2015, the provincial tourist bureau subsidized 32 villages 220,000 yuan each to construct parking lots and public washrooms. The province had 773 villages working on rural tourism, receiving 60 million tourists and achieving over 30 billion yuan in tourist income.