North China's Shanxi Province saw rapid development of tourism industry in 2001.

The tourist sector in the province realized a record income of some 10 billion yuan (about US$ 1.2 billion) last year, an increase of 23 percent over 2000, according to statistics from Shanxi Tourism Bureau.

More than 200,000 people from overseas visited the province in 2001, nearly 22 percent more than that of the previous years.

"Raise the Red Lantern," one of the films directed by Zhang Yimou, used the "Qiao Family Residence", now a folklore museum, as the major scene. The residence is a typical Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) architecture in north China.

Shanxi has various other scenic spots and historic and cultural relics, including the Wutai Mountain and Yungang Grottoes, which have contributed to promoting the local tourist industry.

Local sources said over 200 tourist destinations, some 280 tourist agencies, 4,000 tour guides and 180 hotels in the province are now serving domestic and overseas visitors. The province also keeps launching innovative festivals to highlight its tourist resources.

( People's Daily January 06, 2002)