Gansu promotes harvest tourism in Xi'an

Gansu kicked off a harvest-themed tourism promotion in Shaanxi province's capital Xi'an in late December.

The goal is to celebrate harvest and pay a tribute to farmers nationwide, according to Chen Weizhong, head of Gansu's culture and tourism authority.

Gansu is expecting more visitors from its neighbor Shaanxi, with the launch of the harvest tourism.

Winter tourism programs featuring folk customs, Silk Road gourmet food and landscape scenery have developed to draw travelers from far and wide.

Free and discounted tickets to major scenic spots in Gansu would be offered in the winter period till the end of March, and star-rated restaurants would also offer preferential rates.

The tourism promotion would last till March 31, 2019.

Gansu received 290 million tourist visits in the first 11 months of this year, and raked in 200.5 billion yuan($29.16 billion) in tourism revenue.

Tourism is expected to help 130,000 locals out of poverty this year.