Movie magic that helped put parts of China and Japan on the holidaymakers' map could do the same for the capital, say tourism experts.

They are hoping the sequel to If You Are the One will pump Beijing in the same way that the original helped its locations, Xixi Wetland in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and Hokkaido in Japan.

Gu Xiaoyuan, deputy director of the Beijing Tourism Administration (BJTA), wants director Feng Xiaogang to repeat his success in the sequel If You Are the One II, which was shot in the capital. The movie is set to premiere on Dec 22.

"Beijing is where I was born and grew up, and no city is as appealing to me as Beijing," said the 52-year-old director.

The 798 Art District, Tanzhe Temple, as well as the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, are all featured in the film, which will not only show the traditional side of the ancient city, but also highlight the young and fashionable side of the capital.

Famous for producing light-hearted comedies and love stories, Feng, one of the country's best-selling directors, took more than 340 million yuan at the box office with the romantic comedy If You Are the One last year.

Officials at the Beijing office of the Japan National Tourism Organization said their office was flooded with inquiries about the tourist spots featured in the original movie.

In anticipation of the sequel some tour operators are already offering Beijing travel packages.

Ctrip, the country's leading online travel agent, has launched tailor-made travel products for Chinese New Year. For example, a five-day travel package from Wuhan to Beijing, called "The New Year Pray Journey", is scheduled to start on Feb 3, priced 3,580 yuan. It covers all the major attractions featured in the sequel.

Experts said cooperating with hit movies and taking advantage of their popularity is a good way to boost tourism.

"The Lord of the Rings, for example, successfully promoted the scenery in New Zealand," said Chen Fang, a Beijing-based expert on the creative industry.

"Successful movies make audiences want to get more involved with the movie by visiting the locations."

Along with the sequel, the BJTA is promoting the city's most popular snack eateries and amusement parks.