The city of Quzhou, Zhejiang province, held a promotional event in Beijing Aug 8, with the aim of attracting more tourists to Quzhou by promoting the city’s long history and natural scenery.

At the event, the city announced that tourists from all over the world will gain free admission at 13 scenic spots in Quzhou, including Longyou Grottoes and Jianglang Mountain starting Aug 4, except on national statutory holidays and weekends. 

Representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Hanban (the organization that promotes Chinese language and culture), International Confucian Association, China Tourism Association, media, travel agencies and Quzhou chamber of commerce attended the event. 

Quzhou is committed to developing a tourist destination featuring traditional Chinese culture by promoting two major tourism brands – “Home of Southern Confucianism” and “A Model City of Virtue”. 

The event’s theme is “Home of Southern Confucianism, A Model City of Virtue”, which displays Quzhou's most distinctive and representative cultural elements, and demonstrates its history, present and future, according to Quzhou Mayor Tang Feifan. 

Tang also explained the progress made in streamlining administrative approval procedures and optimizing the business environment. 

“Quzhou will be built into the most ‘courteous’ city in China with three to five years of efforts,” Tang added. 

In addition, the tourism promotional event’s logo, called zuoyi, which represents bowing, a Chinese traditional etiquette practice, a mascot deer, and a cartoon figure called Grandpa Southern Confucianism were revealed at the event.