Clear weather brings increasing visitors to the Crescent Lake scenic spot in Dunhuang, Northwestern China's Gansu province. [Photo by Wang Binyin for chinadaily.com.cn]

Dunhuang, Gansu province, is making all-out efforts to implement a series of stimulus packages and follow-up measures to bolster its cultural tourism economy.

On Dec 15, the city announced its preferential policies for 2022-2023 winter and spring tourism at the launch ceremony of Dunhuang academic research tours.

At the ceremony, Fan Jinshi, honorary president of the Dunhuang Academy, send out an invitation via video link for travel enthusiasts to enjoy the profound culture of the thousand-year-old Mogao Grottoes.

From Dec 15 to March 31, 2023, tickets for the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes will be half price and increase the number of available caves from eight to 12 to attract more tourists along the route featuring flying apsaras, the female spirits in the Dunhuang murals.

In addition, Mingsha Mountain and the Crescent Moon Spring Scenic Area will also offer a 50 percent discount over the period.

Visitors who receive classes at the two aforementioned locations and other research bases of the Mogao grottoes, Yumen Pass, Yangguan Pass are expected to be awarded certificates by the Dunhuang Culture and Tourism Bureau.

An academic research tour alliance has been established, with the combined membership of local travel agencies, Dunhuang Mogao International Airport, three world cultural heritage sites, eight research bases, nine hotels, seven automobile companies, eight specialty restaurants and e-commerce centers. They will work together to help spread Dunhuang culture and promote the recovery of the local tourism market.