Convergence of the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays this year sparked a surge of energy across Shanxi province's tourism sector. By embracing a comprehensive tourism strategy, the province enriched its offerings, resulting in a booming tourism landscape.

The Qiao Family Courtyard launched cultural and tourism activities that blended the rich historical legacy of Shanxi's merchants with innovative experiences, providing visitors with an extraordinary cultural feast.

In a groundbreaking move, the Qiao Family Courtyard launched a new AR experience. With just a mobile device, visitors can now experience a "tech + heritage" tour. On their screens, vivid scenes from a century ago – such as merchant negotiations and festive courtyard life – are brought to life.

Hongtong Dahuaishu Scenic Area offers interactive activities. [Photo/Shanxi Economic Daily]

The Hongtong Dahuaishu Scenic Area launched a "Home Reunion" themed event, featuring nine major activities and 32 unique daily performances. Visitors could interact with NPCs in the folk village, earning "silver certificates" that could be exchanged for nostalgic childhood toys.

In Changzhi's Zhenxing Town, a thoughtfully curated array of activities catered to a wide range of tourist interests. Spectacular performances featuring song, dance, acrobatics, and martial arts immersed visitors in the unique charm and enduring legacy of Taihang folk art.

According to a special survey by the Tourism Big Data Joint Laboratory, Shanxi welcomed 43.86 million domestic tourists during the holidays, a 5.16 percent year-on-year increase. Total tourist spending reached 28.14 billion yuan ($3.95 billion), an 8.53 percent rise.