More companies from outside Shanxi province have been expressing a tone of optimism about Shanxi’s tourism prospects.

Since last year, the province has attracted over 14 billion yuan in outside investment in tourism projects and, in 2012, signed agreements worth 10 billion yuan with other provinces and cities across China.

This introduction of investment from other provinces has helped to reorient the tourism industry and development prospects.

Under the 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015), Shanxi expects to have 6,300 kilometers of expressways, which after the completion of airports in Linfen, Luliang and Wutaishan, will help improve the province’s air service and provide a solid foundation for local tourism.

All of this is taking place against a backdrop of economic resurgence globally, a changing national tourism strategy, and comprehensive reforms. For example, the changing economy has given. Shanxi some historic opportunities: the Beijing Rhine Lakeside Investment Co Ltd put 3.2 billion yuan into the Qin county Gelu lake scenic area, while the Shanghai Yunfeng Group has spent 2.3 billion yuan developing the Guangsheng Temple area and the Beijing Tianxing Chuangmei Co Ltd has put 1.5 billion yuan into a Yushe Yunzhu Lake development.

Shanxi has had 388 tourism projects with funding from inside and outside the province. These include two province-level projects and 16 city-level projects, with a combined investment of 160 billion yuan.

In the first five months of 2011, Shanxi had 58 million tourists from across the country, and took in 48.7 billion yuan, for a year-on-year increase of more than 20 percent. This sound development has inspired some scenic areas to take the initiative and improve themselves. For example, the older parts of Mianshan, Wangmangling, and Pingyao are now applying for 5A scenic-site certification, and more than 10 scenic areas, including Wulaofeng and north Wudang Mountain, have plans to get 4A scenic-site certification.

So, Shanxi has entered what it sees as a “golden development era” for the improved interaction of capital and industry in the tourism sector.