Shanxi boosts 'flower-viewing economy'

Shanxi province is employing its spring beauty by crafting themed tourism routes, turning the "flower-viewing economy" into a new engine driving rural vitalization and boosting cultural tourism consumption.

Yuncheng, for example, has launched five springtime travel routes connecting the city's most picturesque spring sites. Each route highlights key flower viewing spots and unique attractions, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of spring blossoms such as apricots, peaches, and rapeseed. The routes also incorporate local cuisine and specialties, ensuring that visitors can satisfy their taste buds while taking in the sights.

Tourists take photos in the blooming canola fields in Xiyao village, Yuncheng. [Photo/Shanxi Economic Daily]

As temperatures rise, the annual flower viewing season begins in Jinzhong, where peach, pear, and crabapple blossoms come into bloom, transforming urban and rural landscapes into stunning seas of flowers. By linking flower viewing sites with scenic areas and rural tourism spots, the city attracts numerous visitors, boosting related industries such as dining, accommodation, and cultural creation.

Since late March, many tourists have embarked on a floral journey in Taiyuan. Classic urban walking routes featuring attractions like the Museum of Shanxi Merchants, food streets, and Zhonglou Street have seen a surge in popularity, creating a continuously thriving tourism market.

To meet the demand for photo-taking, many scenic spots in the province offer personalized services such as costume rentals, drone photography, and professional travel shoots. These diverse offerings not only cater to visitor needs but also inject new vitality into the local flower-viewing economy.