Hongtong, N China's Shanxi, launches roots-seeking tourism season

A series of activities of a roots-seeking tourism season in Hongtong county, north China’s Shanxi Province, was launched in Beijing on March 29.

Photo shows the launch event for a series of activities of a roots-seeking tourism season in Hongtong county, north China’s Shanxi Province, in Beijing. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

The Big Locust Tree in Hongtong county is a notable historical site for Chinese ancestor veneration. It is the place where many Chinese people inside and outside the country believe their ancestors started their long trek of immigration during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Hongtong boasts a profound history and culture, a rich tapestry of local customs, and magnificent natural scenery.

Eight projects are signed during the launch event for a series of activities of a roots-seeking tourism season in Hongtong county, north China’s Shanxi Province, in Beijing. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Performances with the unique characteristics of Hongtong, including a national-level intangible cultural heritage, were staged at the event.

A total of eight projects with a contracted investment amounting to 7.33 billion yuan ($1.01 billion) were signed during the event, covering a wide range of fields such as new energy, new materials, modern agriculture, and the digital economy.

Hongtong, one of the first national integrated tourism demonstration zones, aims to upgrade the quality of the demonstration zone and turn itself into an internationally renowned cultural tourism destination.

Photo shows the launch event for a series of activities of a roots-seeking tourism season in Hongtong county, north China’s Shanxi Province, in Beijing. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

To this end, the county organized activities which cover eight major categories, including catering, accommodations, travel, shopping and entertainment, inviting the descendants of the Big Locust Tree to "go back home" for sightseeing and tracing their roots.

Among those who attended the event were Zhang Luping, Party chief of Hongtong, and Liu Yong, deputy head of Hongtong county.

Artists perform a local opera of Hongtong during the launch event for a series of activities of a roots-seeking tourism season in Hongtong county, north China’s Shanxi Province, in Beijing. (People's Daily Online/Lu Pengyu)