Representatives attend the promotion event in Paris, France, on Nov 13. [Photo/gswbj.gov.cn]

A tourism promotion event for Gansu province was held in Paris on Nov 13, attracting over 40 Chinese and French tourism officials and travel agents.

The promotion highlighted Gansu's rich heritage as a vital section of the ancient Silk Road, with officials expressing that the province shares a deep appreciation for cultural preservation and arts with France. They extended a warm invitation for French travel professionals to explore the Silk Road's historical paths and the natural beauty of landscapes like the Qilian Mountains.

It was also noted that China's visa-free policy for French citizens is expected to significantly boost travel between the two countries.

Presentations highlighted key attractions such as the Mogao Caves and the Zhangye Danxia landforms, portraying the region as a dynamic history textbook.

A fashion show featuring designs inspired by Gansu's paper-cutting art, an intangible cultural heritage item, was a creative highlight. Meanwhile, Air China detailed optimized flight connections and travel benefits for the France-Gansu route.

During the event, several curated tour itineraries were introduced, including classic loops of the Hexi Corridor. Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism announced a planned 2026 inspection tour for French travel agents.

The event concluded with eight French travel agencies reaching preliminary cooperation agreements with their Gansu counterparts.

Looking ahead, Gansu aims to advance cultural and tourism cooperation from one-way promotion to two-way exchange, allowing the treasures of the Silk Road to shine more brilliantly along the banks of the Seine.