Beijing is to add 35 folk custom travel villages in this year. These villages offer visitors a taste of authentic traditional customs and culture.

The municipal government will invest 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) in improving facilities and environment.

Last year, the folk villages welcomed more than 6 million tourists, bringing in a total income of 600 million yuan (US$73 million).

(Beijing Weekend July 9, 2004)