Tai'an harnesses Mount Tai to spur cultural tourism

Tai'an in Shandong province boosts the integration of its cultural and tourism offerings. [Photo/Tai'an Daily]

Focusing on the protection and development of Mount Tai culture, Tai'an in Shandong province has boosted the integration of its cultural and tourism offerings and fostered collaborative growth among various scenic spots in the region.

Statistics show that from 2014 to 2019, the number of visitors to Mount Tai totaled between 5 million and 6 million. In 2023, Mount Tai received 8.62 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 301.36 percent and a record high.

According to Ctrip, in the first five months of this year, 73.2 percent of tourists stayed in Tai'an for two to four days, an increase of 2.3 percentage points from last year and higher than the provincial average of 17.9 percent.

To draw more visitors, Tai'an has established a new cultural tourism group centering on Mount Tai, which encompasses transportation, cultural performances, investment management, hotel and catering services, and commercial exhibitions. The group has built a digital platform connecting over 70 scenic spots and more than 100 hotels and homestays in the city.

The city is also advancing 18 key cultural tourism projects, deeply exploring the rich cultural connotations of the Yellow River, Mount Tai, and the Dawen River, creating a stunning landscape that integrates culture, tourism, and ecology.

At the same time, Tai'an is building a modern and highly-competitive cultural tourism industry system. From lush green mountains and waters to the charming countryside, and from poetic landscapes to everyday life, Tai'an offers no shortage of immersive experiences for visitors and holds many colorful festivals that help to enhance its influence.