A group of foreign guests were invited to visit Shandong province's three historic ancient cities, Jinan, Tai'an and Jining, to experience traditional culture and local hospitality.

The 24 foreign visitors were attending the First World Conference on Tourism for Development held in Beijing from May 18 to 21.

The conference, themed around "Tourism for Peace and Development", was organized by the State Council and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It attracted more than 400 foreign guests to jointly discuss the development of the tourism industry.

Among them are leaders in charge of travel affairs from multiple countries, including the Republic of Mauritius, Vanuatu, Nepal, Canada and France.

In Jinan, capital city of Shandong province, the foreign guests were all impressed by the unique landscape of Spouting Spring, Daming Lake and Black Tiger Spring.

During the stay in Shandong, they also visited the ancient famous city Tai'an. There they enjoyed Taishan Mountain, which is one of the most revered mountains of the five famous mountains in China. They also visited Dai Temple, where ancient emperors held worship ceremonies.

In Taishan Mountain, Xavier-Luc Duval, deputy prime minister of Mauritius, signed his name on the slogan to express his praise and recognition of the city's practice to integrate tourism with the people's desire for peace and prosperity.

In addition to amazing sceneries, foreign guests also watched traditional Chinese cultural activities, such as shadowboxing performances and a tea ceremony.

Foreign guests visit the typical landscape of spring in Jinan, capital city of Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A foreign guest signs his name on the slogan in memory of this great trip. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Chinese woman teaches a foreign girl the Chinese traditional shadowboxing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]