Taiyuan city in Shanxi province was proudly included in the report "China's Top 15 Cities for Rising International Tourism Effect" released by the China Tourism Academy during the 2025 International Mayor's Forum on Tourism in Zhengzhou on Oct 24.

The report also highlighted cities such as Chongqing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Dalian, Jinan, Hefei, and Zhengzhou. It evaluated the comprehensive ability of 60 sample cities across China to attract international tourists, using a framework that considers the entire travel experience of international visitors.

The findings indicate a rising potential for international tourism in China's non-traditional popular tourist cities, marked by increases in both the number of international visitors and their average length of stay.

Taiyuan, for instance, has enhanced its appeal by creating specialized travel itineraries for foreigners under a 240-hour visa-free transit policy. Additionally, the city has expanded the number of payment service demonstration zones and made it easier for foreign tourists to book tickets and register for accommodations. As a result, Taiyuan is rapidly gaining attractiveness in the international tourism market.