North China’s Shanxi province achieved total tourism income of 155.95 billion yuan ($25.12 billion) in the first half of the year, increasing 19.67 percent from the same period last year.

From January to June, the number of tourists traveling to Shanxi province grew by 19.01 percent to 166 million. The tourists favored three scenic spots most: the Ancient City of Pingyao, Mount Wutai and the Large Locust Tree in Hongdong county, according to the province’s dynamic monitoring systems in the major scenic spots.

Tourists mainly came from provinces such as Hebei, Henan and Shaanxi.

Most tourists, which accounting for 62.5 percent of the total, spent less than six hours in the scenic spots that under the dynamic monitoring, indicating that the scenic spots should improve their attraction as well as reception facilities.

This year the province’s tourism authorities organized a series of promotion activities, including promotion tours in Northeast China, Southwest China, Chongqing, Sichuan?and Hubei provinces. Moreover, the province has taken part in tourism-oriented exhibits in China and abroad.

The province’s tourism resources were also promoted through media, focusing on leisure tourism and ancient civilization. Internet promotion was also a part of the promotion works. In addition, the province’s tourism promo was shown on several popular TV programs.

Data show that the promotion is working. More tourists from the city of Chongqing, the provinces of Sichuan, Fujian and Liaoning are travelling to Shanxi than before.