The "Tour Rushan in winter and taste oysters" tourism season and the 8th Rushan Oyster Culture Festival kicked off on Dec 15 in Rushan, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province.

The 8th Rushan Oyster Culture Festival kicks off on Dec 15. [Photo/Dazhong News]

This event, now in its eighth edition, centers around the famous Rushan oysters of Shandong.

Compared to previous editions, this year's event has introduced a series of winter cultural and tourism activities based on the themes of fresh oyster tasting, high-speed rail travel, and touring the mountains and the sea of Rushan, in a bid to further activate the winter cultural and tourism market, promote the deep integration of "oyster + culture and tourism", and ignite a fresh wave of winter tourism in Rushan.

Over 150 participants, including oyster distributors and representatives from travel agencies across the country, gathered at the event's opening ceremony, during which several lists were announced, including the "Rushan Oyster E-commerce Partners", "Oyster Sales Influencers" and "Outstanding Distributors", in recognition of their respective contributions.

Rushan oysters, known for their exceptional quality and taste, are a must-try delicacy for seafood lovers. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Duofu Mountain Tourism Resort, Taiyi Lake Scenic Area, Xiaotang Hot Spring Resort, and other sites were named as must-visit destinations for the "Tour Rushan in Winter".

The "Tour Rushan in winter and taste oysters" tourism season and the 8th Rushan Oyster Culture Festival will last until the end of February.

A series of activities, including the Rushan Oyster Innovation Dish Competition, and the "Tour Rushan in Winter" cultural tourism consumption season, will be held so that tourists can immerse themselves in the hospitality and beauty of Rushan.

Rushan offers a rich blend of cultural and culinary delights for tourists. With its stunning coastal landscapes, visitors can indulge in a wide array of fresh seafood delicacies while immersing themselves in the local cultural heritage, making it a perfect destination for both nature lovers and food enthusiasts.

In recent years, Rushan has been ramping up efforts to boost its culture and tourism industries and attract more visitors from around the globe.

As of November, the 11 A-level scenic spots in Rushan had received 4 million tourists and generated 547 million yuan ($76.7 million) in revenue.

The winter landscape of a scenic spot in Rushan. [Photo/Dazhong News]