The 2025 "A Date with China" international media tour launched on Monday in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province. Over the next five days, a diverse delegation of foreign and Chinese journalists, content creators, and experts will embark on a reporting tour across the cities of Taiyuan, Jinzhong, and Linfen.

The international delegation includes representatives from the United States, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkiye, Vietnam, Brazil, Venezuela, and other countries and regions. Participants will visit cultural heritage sites and manufacturing enterprises to conduct in-depth interviews focusing on Shanxi's ancient architecture preservation, vinegar and noodle culture, innovations in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as painted sculpture craftsmanship.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the "A Date with China" tour continues to build bridges for cross-cultural storytelling. This year's edition centers on the theme "Partnering with China will Bring More Opportunities".

Artificial intelligence is transforming travel experience in China, offering smarter and more personalized travel options, and acting as a "new guide" for foreign tourists exploring the country.

Mutangay Jesteben Beni, a 26-year-old visitor from the Democratic Republic of Congo and now a student at Shanxi University, experienced this firsthand. Seven years after arriving in China with dreams of becoming an engineer, his AI-assisted trip to Beijing this July completely reshaped his perception of Chinese tourism. "Plan a three-day trip to Beijing for me, focusing on the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, with a budget of around 5,000 yuan ($702)," Mutangay instructed Doubao, an AI application.

In less than 10 seconds, a detailed itinerary appeared on his screen, including transportation, accommodation, daily attractions, and local culinary recommendations.

"This is amazing!" he said, showing off the plan on his phone. "It's not just an itinerary; it's like a local friend offering a personalized guide."

Mutangay's experience is not unique. Increasingly, foreign tourists are relying on AI to explore China. Tools like DeepSeek and Doubao have become common companions for travelers, both domestic and international. According to a report released by the China Internet Network Information Center, as of August, China has registered 538 generative AI services and 263 generative AI applications or functions.

Mutangay's Beijing trip fueled his interest in ancient Chinese architecture, leading him to participate in the "Discovering Shanxi's Ancient Chinese Architecture" event last month, jointly organized by China Daily and Shanxi Daily.

Oluwabunmi Henry Jimoh, a 31-year-old vlogger from Nigeria and also an international experience ambassador for the event, shared his experience with AI-powered travel.

"In the past, I would usually search for interesting destinations on social media, but since using AI, everything has become much simpler," he said.

For Jimoh, AI acts as a helpful assistant. "It always reminds us of those easily overlooked corners and leads us to discover new routes. More importantly, it makes learning historical knowledge simple and efficient," he said.

Jimoh's connection with China began with his childhood fascination with Jackie Chan's kung fu movies. He arrived in China in 2016 to study at Guangxi University of Science and Technology in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. After graduating, he chose to stay in Liuzhou and pursue a career in self-media. "Only after truly stepping into China did I realize that Chinese kung fu is not just about exciting fights, but also carries traditional etiquette, cultural heritage, and spiritual meaning," he said.

Reflecting on China's technological advancements, Jimoh said: "In recent years, China's technological development has been incredibly fast, and AI products have become integrated into everyday life. From service robots in hotels to various AI software applications, they are tangibly improving both life and work efficiency."

Veldesen Yaputra, a 24-year-old Indonesian architecture student at Tsinghua University, also experienced the allure of AI firsthand.

At the Jinci Museum's Shengmu (Sacred Mother) Hall in Taiyuan, he witnessed the unique charm of "technology plus ancient architecture".

By using Doubao's visual recognition function to scan the building, the AI system instantly identified it as Shengmu Hall, providing detailed information about its historical background, structural features, and cultural value. "Now, whenever I encounter unfamiliar ancient architecture knowledge, I can easily access it through this tool, as if I have a professional 'ancient architecture guide' with me," said Yaputra, impressed by the clear information on his phone.

Yaputra's original reason for coming to China was to "find his roots". His ancestors were from Jieyang, Guangdong, and he is the fifth generation of his family in Indonesia.

"As a Chinese descendant, I have a responsibility to spread Chinese culture overseas," he said.

He now has a new understanding: "To judge a country's development, you can get a direct impression by looking at the planning details of its cities and the design standards of its buildings."

Karyna Kovalevska, a 24-yearold Ukrainian vlogger and participant of the event, leverages AI extensively as a short video content creator. She uses AI to create travel guides and consults with AI when preparing scripts for her videos on Shanxi's ancient architecture. "This not only helps me avoid historical and cultural inaccuracies but also greatly improves my creative efficiency," she explained. "AI provides more authentic expression suggestions for my narration and even offers professional inspiration for video camera work and narrative logic."

Through this cultural journey, Kovalevska has also keenly observed the progress of the integration of China's cultural tourism industry with technology. "The tour guide services in scenic spots are becoming more professional, and digital and AI-powered intelligent equipment is becoming more prevalent, significantly enhancing the experience for foreign tourists," she said.

She believes that thematic activities like "Discovering Shanxi's Ancient Chinese Architecture" are of great importance in promoting Chinese and foreign cultural exchanges.

With the implementation of China's 240-hour transit visa-free policy, more foreigners have the opportunity to experience real life in China. "I believe that foreign tourists can only truly understand China by personally visiting this land. And AI will become an important bridge to help us better understand Chinese culture," she said.

Ding Yi and Guo Shuya contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn

Ten international vloggers from eight countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France, visited Jinzhong city in Shanxi province to explore the birthplace of Shanxi merchant culture and experience intangible cultural heritage skills on Wednesday.

It was a part of the five-day event - the "Discovering Shanxi's Ancient Chinese Architecture — Overseas Media and Students Tour", which kicked off on Tuesday in Taiyuan.

Shanxi merchants, also known as Jin merchants, rose to prominence during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) through commercial activities such as salt trading and the operation of draft banks.

At that time, their business extended across the entire nation and even reached overseas markets.

"The preservation of ancient architecture in Shanxi is remarkable," said French vlogger Mathieu Mylene, who was on her fourth trip to Shanxi. "Each visit leaves a deep impression on me, and this time, I also got to experience the Shanxi merchant culture."

The vloggers strolled through the Pingyao Ancient City — a UNESCO World Heritage site — which stands as China's most exceptionally preserved ancient county, as well as the Shuanglin Temple.

They also visited China's first draft bank, Rishengchang, which was established in 1823.

"It's incredible to witness the origins of China's draft bank and financial systems," said vlogger Michael Rhys Card from the United Kingdom. "The concept behind the coded drafts from centuries ago is remarkably consistent with today's credit card systems."

At the Pingyao Lacquer Art Museum, the vloggers tried their hand at polishing lacquerware, a national intangible cultural heritage.

Indonesian vlogger Veldesen Yaputra marveled, "The dedication of the artisans, who spent five years completing a single artwork like Arhat Painting, is truly admirable. Even the simple act of polishing made me appreciate the painstaking effort behind such craftsmanship."

On Thursday, the group visited the Wang Family Compound, renowned as "the premier residential complex of traditional Chinese homes".

The expansive Qing-dynasty architectural complex blends the grandeur of northern styles with the delicacy of southern designs, showcasing the residential culture and life wisdom of Shanxi merchant families.

During the following trip, the vloggers will further explore Linfen and Yuncheng, where they will delve into the unique artistic language of Shanxi's ancient architecture through various activities, such as intangible cultural heritage experiences, visits to historical sites, and cultural salons, focusing on elements like dougong (bracket sets), painted sculptures, carvings, glazed tiles, and murals.

Ding Yi contributed to this story.

A group of international students and media members set off on a tour of Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on Tuesday to experience the unique charm of Chinese culture.

Hosted by China Daily and Shanxi Daily, the five-day event attracted 10 foreign bloggers from eight countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France, along with some international students in Shanxi.

"In recent years, I have visited many historical sites, like the Guandi Temple, the Guanque Tower, and the extremely well-preserved Pingyao Ancient City," said Karyna Kovalevska, a blogger from Ukraine. "The cultural differences between Ukraine and China have filled me with curiosity about these ancient structures."

"I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the stories behind them through the event, and then recording and sharing this fascinating content," she added.

The Jinci Temple, established in the 11th century BC, is the earliest existing imperial ancestral temple garden in China. While visiting the temple, Russian blogger Romanovskaia Anzhelika said, "I've mostly been exposed to architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) before, but the ancient architectural complex here is even more historic. It truly deeply impressed me."

On Tuesday afternoon, they visited the Shanxi Museum, the largest center in the province for the collection, preservation, research, and exhibition of cultural relics. It holds over 500,000 items in its collection.

Also on Tuesday, the bloggers gained hands-on experience making dough sculptures and local noodles in Taiyuan.

"Shanxi noodles are so distinctive," said Luke O'Farrell, a blogger from Ireland. "I hope to taste more varieties in the coming days to further satisfy my curiosity about the local food culture."

During the remainder of the trip, the group will also travel to Jinzhong, Linfen, and Yuncheng.

Ding Yi contributed to this story.

The ancient capital Datong in Shanxi province witnessed a remarkable fusion of history and haute couture as the Yungang Fashion Festival kicked off in front of the iconic Cave 20 of the Yungang Grottoeson September 29. The event transformed the historic site into a dynamic runway, presenting a visual spectacle that bridged past and present.

The event hosted several distinguished guests, including diplomats from South Korea, Hungary, and the UK, representatives from international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as figures from fashion, entertainment, education, sports, media, and cultural sectors. Together, they celebrated a pioneering crossover of culture and contemporary style.

The fashion show unfolded in three chapters: "Chaos," "Collision," and "Future." Timeless motifs from the Yungang Grottoes, such as scrolling clouds, dragon patterns, and lotus flowers, were reimagined through abstraction and rendered using techniques like embroidery, dyeing, and 3D printing. Innovative smart fabrics responded to body temperature, mimicking the weathered texture of the grotto walls and bringing the concept of "wearable history" to life. Against a digitally enhanced backdrop, models moved like walking digital caves, vividly illustrating the idea of giving a voice to cultural relics.

The highlight of the festival was the restaging of ZIFEI WANG’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Previously launched at China International Fashion Week, the collection has garnered significant industry attention. Designer Wang Zifei, a native of Datong, drew deeply from the artistic essence of the Yungang Grottoes and the nomadic spirit of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). Her 100-piece collection intertwined fluid cloud patterns and flame motifs with embroidery, capturing the dynasty’s untamed elegance. Transparent glass elements contrasted with the rugged texture of grotto surfaces, creating a powerful dialogue between ancient and modern aesthetics and showcasing the enduring vitality of traditional Chinese art in contemporary design.

This innovative "runway-as-heritage-site" model offers a compelling example of how fashion and cultural heritage can merge to enhance a city’s profile. It strengthens Datong’s identity as a "cultural and fashionable capital," revitalizes ancient legacy, and attracts global visitors to explore the roots of Yungang culture, further boosting the city’s cultural and tourism development.

Fair boosts real-life attractions in the province, Wang Qian and Zhu Xingxin report in Taiyuan.

At the recently concluded 7th Shanxi Cultural Industries Fair in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, Yu Shui, director of the animated blockbuster Nobody, invited moviegoers to visit the province that inspired its ancient architectural scenes.

"After seeing Nobody, I hope you will go see the statues in the Tiefo Temple and the Weituo statue in the Shuanglin Temple, to feel the history and local culture," Yu says.

The invitation highlights a dynamic phenomenon in the country's creative industries — leveraging advanced technology to revive cultural heritage not within the confines of museums but through engaging and accessible mediums, such as games and films.

"With the video game Black Myth: Wukong becoming a hit, the integration of technology with cultural tourism has been encouraged by local authorities, which is a growing travel trend inspired by the big screen," Yu says.

With revenue soaring to nearly 1.3 billion yuan ($182.29 million) at the box office as of Aug 26, according to statistics from ticketing platform Maoyan, the ink-wash animation proves that the past is not just a subject for study but a boundless source of inspiration that can fuel both artistic innovation and commercial success.

Nobody has broken the previous record of 573 million yuan set by Big Fish & Begonia (2016), making it the highest-grossing domestic 2D animated feature in Chinese cinema history.

Yu says that his deeply personal storytelling, drawn from childhood memories in his hometown in Shanxi, has inadvertently become a boon for local cultural promotion.

To create its unique Chinese animation style, Yu and his team conducted field research from northern to southern Shanxi, bringing the beauty of the province's ancient architecture onto the silver screen. Even the place's name, Beizhang village, a real location in Yu's hometown of Taiyuan, was subtly embedded into the animation.

"Incorporating a large number of Shanxi landmarks and elements of ancient architecture into the film was primarily driven by the needs of the plot, as these exquisite structures can enhance the film. Additionally, it's because I am from Taiyuan and have a deep emotional connection to these ancient buildings," Yu says.

The animation follows four small monsters — a pig, a toad, a weasel, and an ape — who masquerade as characters from Journey to the West in a quest for immortality, before finding themselves protecting villagers from malevolent forces.

As a keynote speaker at the event's forum on cultural and technological integration, Yu says that technology's role is not to overshadow tradition but to liven it up. "Digital technology is never the 'opposite' of 2D animation," he notes, adding it is a tool to "improve quality and efficiency".

With the aid of technology, the film's carefully drawn ancient architecture acts as a powerful lure, making audiences eager to see the real-life prototypes. Its Eastern aesthetic has become a cultural hook for attracting young people to Shanxi. Yu stresses that everything begins with making a great product; only when the audience genuinely loves the animation can it generate subsequent ripple effects.

This mindset matches the theme of the fair — stimulating innovation and creativity. At the fair, a 3D hyperrealistic digital avatar of Mulan, developed by Datong Daily Media Group and Gulian (Beijing) Media Tech Co, was awarded as one of 10 culture-tech integration cases in Shanxi.

As an important research site for the legend of Mulan, Datong in Shanxi has brought the ancient heroine into the digital age. In collaboration with experts from Peking University, the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, and the Beijing Film Academy, the team developed the avatar in military, feminine, and modern fusion attire, ensuring every detail was historically grounded and culturally authentic.

Since its debut in January, their version of Mulan has become a cultural ambassador, appearing at various events, showcasing Datong's history. The avatar project, along with the animated film Nobody, demonstrates that Shanxi's cultural revival is being powered by a multifaceted tech approach.

"Creating the Mulan IP is not only about promoting the city's image but also about cultivating a new consumption model that combines culture, technology, and tourism," said Hao Yu, who is in charge of the project, at a forum during the fair.

"Looking to the future, Mulan's story will continue to unfold. She will continue her role as an ambassador and serve as a symbol of Chinese culture. This includes creating Mulan short dramas and animations, conducting immersive educational experiences, and launching the Mulan and Datong book series," Hao adds.

As a major provincial-level cultural exhibition in Shanxi, the fair was held from Aug 21 to 25 to provide a platform for discussions on how modern storytelling and technology can serve cultural heritage. The largest since its launch in 2013, this year's fair attracted more than 2,000 enterprises from 36 countries.

Nepalese exhibitor Bijaya Dawadi was happy to participate in the fair this year. "I brought singing bowls that can calm the mind, and thangka paintings made from natural minerals, which have been very well received. I hope this will promote more cultural exchanges between the two countries."

Domestic exhibitors also found vibrant platforms. "We have participated in the expo several times, and the range of products we bring has become increasingly diverse," says Yuan Xiaohuan, the manager of a ceramics company in Changzhi, Shanxi. "This year, we have attracted many buyers, resulting in very high sales."

With an exhibition area of 70,000 square meters, the fair has 228 cultural industry investment projects launched with total investment reaching 82 billion yuan, according to the fair's organizers. Over the course of five days, the event received 489,000 visitors.

For visitors, the fair was a journey where technology and tradition coexisted. Making its debut at this year's event, the themed exhibition zone for the cultural and creative aspects of Shanxi leveraged the province's unique landscape as its spatial framework, integrating the colors of the Yongle Palace murals and reconstructing elements of ancient architecture.

Li Yue, a visitor, was particularly drawn to the ancient architectural displays. "Because of Black Myth: Wukong and the hit movie Nobody, ancient architecture is especially hot right now. These models allow you to see their structures clearly; it's a different feeling from seeing them on-site. It's great."

During the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, tourists flocked to cultural and historical sites like Shanxi province's ancient buildings and museums.

Shanxi is well-known for having the most ancient buildings of any province in China.

Some of these locations gained attention after appearing in the game Black Myth: Wukong, released in August. The Yungang Grottoes, Xuankong Temple, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda and other sites in Shanxi have all benefited from the Black Myth bump.

"In response to the increasing number of visitors, we expanded our volunteer service team to manage the flow of tourists," said Yin Zhenxing, curator of the Colored Sculpture and Mural Museum at the Yuhuang Pavilion in Jincheng. "We divided our hours of operation into eight time slots, with each slot limited to 300 reservations, to provide the best possible experience."

Visitor Wang Yifan said she was greatly impressed by the Twenty-eight Constellations Colored Sculptures at the Yuhuang Pavilion.

"I took many photos of each lifelike sculpture and will share them with my parents," she said.

Jincheng's Tiefo Temple received over 7,000 visitors during the holiday, according to the local government.

"During the visit to the Tiefo Temple, I was amazed by ancient people's unique clay sculpture craftsmanship, such as the intricate patterns, expressions and forms," said tourist Wu Jianwei.

The Jincheng government stated that leveraging the popularity of Black Myth: Wukong, they are fully committed to providing excellent service and ensuring the safety of the culture and tourism market for the coming National Day holiday.

Yan Yun contributed to the story.