Shanxi province's second largest city Datong launched a series of promotional events on Aug 4, to attract investment in its cultural tourism industry. The promotional events will include a sports tourism week, a cultural industry exhibition, a cultural heritage expo and a music festival.

The opening ceremony was held in the city's Yungang Grottoes which is renowned for being one of China's largest collections of caves. The grottoes have been honored as a national 5A-level tourist spot and a world cultural heritage.

Shanxi province launches a series of promotional events in Datong city on Aug 4, to attract investment to its cultural tourism industry. [Photo/chinanews.com]

High-level officials from Shanxi province and Datong city attended the meeting. Hu Suping, the director of Shanxi's publicity department announced the commencement of the promotional activities at the ceremony.

As one of China's nine ancient capitals, Datong has abundant tourism resources including many historic sites and natural landscapes.

In recent years, the government has made great efforts to boost its cultural tourism industry, in the hope of bringing greater economic and social benefits to the city.

Performers wearing traditional Chinese costumes dance at the opening ceremony for tourism promotional events held in Shanxi. [Photo/chinanews.com]

According to the government, Datong wishes to create a global hospitality brand known across the world. It will continue to enhance the upgrade its core scenic attractions, discover new travel sites and create more leisure resorts.

With the economic slowdown in the coal and steel industries, tourism is expected to become a new area of growth for Shanxi province, with an expected 13 percent increase in its tourism revenue for 2016.