Party chief outlines plan for developing the scenic area in Shanxi province

　　Performers play traditional music for tourists at the House of the Huangcheng Chancellor in Jincheng, Shanxi province, on July 13.ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY

　　Blessed with an array of historical and cultural treasures and a pristine natural environment, Jincheng in Shanxi province is poised to become a model city for cultural tourism and health, the city's top official said.

　　“Cultural tourism and health preservation represent a new frontier of consumption and a key driver of growth,“ said Wang Zhen, Party secretary of Jincheng, adding that the city is on the brink of a remarkable transformation, with vast opportunities and tremendous potential.

　　The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, with 40 nationally acclaimed historical and cultural towns and villages, putting it at the forefront of cultural development nationwide and laying a solid foundation for tourism growth. For example, it has 186 traditional ancient villages, the most in Shanxi and the fifth-most in China. In addition, the Qinhe River basin houses 117 ancient mansions and 150,000 dwellings from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

　　Wang Zhen

　　Recently, the online action video game Black Myth: Wukong has sparked a surge in visits to ancient buildings in the city. Attractions such as the Yuhuang Temple, or Jade Emperor Temple, have become extremely popular.