Pakistanis find rich cultural rewards in Shanxi

A delegation of 12 media representatives — TV hosts, social media bloggers and digital media editors — from Pakistan's Balochistan province, visited Shanxi province recently to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

From June 24 to 27, members of the delegation visited and inspected places such as Datong, Taiyuan and Yangquan.

Saleem Shahid, a senior journalist for Dawn Group who is stationed in Balochistan, had come to Shanxi for the first time. The urban environment had a familiar feel.

"I saw the Yungang Grottoes, a world cultural heritage site, for the first time with my own eyes," he said. "They are well preserved and showcase a long history."

The grottoes, which are located in Datong, are a favorite destination for people from diverse cultures. Well-equipped scenic areas host a continuous stream of tourists, and simple, clear explanations from tour guides help foreign visitors understand history, Shahid added.

Shanxi is a treasure trove of ancient architectural resources, with nearly 30,000 existing ancient buildings. There are 518 wooden structures from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and earlier, accounting for more than 80 percent of China's national total. Like Pakistan, Shanxi is located on the Silk Road route, making it a natural foundation for cultural exchanges.