Kaifeng seeks top-tier status in culture, tourism

Kaifeng, Henan province, is developing its cultural and tourism industries to a high-quality level, not only focusing on inheriting tradition but also on promoting innovation, said Gao Jianjun, Kaifeng's Party secretary and a deputy to the National People's Congress.

In recent years, Kaifeng heritage sites have been protected and renovated, and they're known to more, Gao said — among them include the Ancient City of Song, the archaeology museum and Yellow River cultural exhibition hall.

Kaifeng continuously combines its cultural development with tourism through such things as the chrysanthemum cultural festival, Song Dynasty (960-1279) forum, cultural heritage park and a series of tourism projects related to the city's old buildings and history. 

In the future, Kaifeng plans to improve its cultural influence and become a top-tier international cultural and tourism city through international cooperation in the trade, tourism, art and press industries, he said.

Tang Ziye contributed to the story.