Tai’an is chosen as a host city for Spring Festival gala

Mount Tai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Due to its beautiful landscape, rich culture, and developed infrastructure, Tai'an has been chosen as one of the cities to hold the 2018 Spring Festival gala, according to a news report published on iqilu.com.

Shandong is known for its beautiful scenery, and Mount Tai is no exception. Mount Tai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by about six million people every year. There are dozens of temples, stone tablets and inscriptions lining the path to the summit, making the mountain both a cultural and natural attraction.

In addition, public transport in and around Tai'an is well established. A number of highways, railways, and express railways, including the Beijing-Shanghai Railway, go through the city, making it highly connected and easily accessible.

A ceremony is held every year to offer sacrifices to heaven. [Photo/ taian.iqilu.com]

The tourism industry has long been a pillar of Tai'an. Over 67 million tourists visited the city in 2017, and its total revenue reached 70 billion yuan ($11 billion). Experts view its selection as a host city for the Spring Festival gala as a good opportunity for Tai'an to showcase its culture and history, which will give a further boost to its tourism industry.

According to organizers, more than two thousand people will give a variety of different performances at the gala, and the stage will be elaborately decorated. Audiences will be treated to a fantastic visual and auditory feast.

Dai Temple, which is located to the north of Tai'an City. It used to be the venue where emperors of the past dynasties held celebrations to worship heaven and earth and bestowed sacrifices to the God of the mountain. [Photo/taian.iqilu.com]