A news conference for the 2018 Yanmen Cycle Classic is held in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province, July 16. [Photo/news.cn]

The 2018 Yanmen Cycle Classic will be held in Daixian county, Shanxi province, from July 21 to 23.

More than 1,000 athletes and amateurs from 20 countries and regions will compete with each other in the cycle classic and public cycling competitions. Other activities such as powered paragliding performances will be held during the event.

"The Yanmen Cycle Classic is a grand event combining sports, culture and tourism," said Zhao Xiaochun, director of Shanxi Sports Department, at a news conference in Taiyuan July 16.

Daixian served as a military county on the northern frontier in ancient China. Its long history and various folk customs have been unique advantages for the county in developing its tourism industry.

The county has been developing tourism into a pillar industry of local economic growth and promoting construction of tourist attractions through sports event such as the annual international cycling event.