An event to promote rural tourism in Shandong province in spring was launched on April 3 in Sishui county, Jining, Shandong province.

A poster for an event to promote rural tourism in Shandong province in spring [Photo/zhonghongwang.com]

The event, supported by the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, was designed to attract tourists to the province's picturesque rural areas in spring, as flowers are in bloom.

According to the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, a series of activities, including mountain climbing festivals, fishing festivals, music shows, and gourmet festivals, will take place during the event.

Folk culture, farming culture, and local history and culture contained in the 24 solar terms in the province's 16 cities will be highlighted in activity planning to promote local characteristics, said Shandong officials.

Jining, a beautiful city with deep cultural and historical roots, has been promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism in recent years, said local officials.

Traditional handicrafts of Jining [Photo/zhonghongwang.com]

The city has built a number of characteristic towns and model villages by making the most of its picturesque views, rich culture, and historical heritage.

More than 10 rural tourism complexes integrating cultural creativity, pastoral scenery, and rural life experiences have been fostered in the city. They have directly boosted farmers' incomes and promoted rural revitalization, according to Jining officials.

In addition, the city has been ramping up efforts to build rural tourism brands. It is home to four key national rural tourism villages, six key provincial rural tourism villages, 13 characteristic cultural and tourism towns, 30 cultural and tourism integration model villages, and 87 scenic villages.

It has launched more than 10 tourism routes to satisfy the needs of different tourist groups. They involve healthcare, rural car trips, agricultural picking activities, environmental leisure, folk festivals, cultural experience activities, red tourism, and gourmet.

The flourishing rural tourism industry in Jining has directly increased the income of more than 16,000 villagers and created over 3,000 jobs, according to official data.