The city of Ordos in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and the city of Xishuangbanna in South China’s Yunnan province have decided to collaborate to develop tourism, according to an announcement at a news conference held by the two cities’ authorities, in Beijing, July 20.

The two cities will hold an activity themed “a dialogue between the Prairie Silk Road and the Ancient Tea Horse Road” in Ordos, from Aug 3 to 7, to promote themselves.

The activity will include a series of events, such as a forum on dialogue between the two cities, a meeting involving tourism companies and a tourism products promotion conference.

“Ordos begins to give more attention to developing tourism as way to boost the economy,” said Liu Jianxun, deputy mayor of Ordos, at the news conference. 

The two cities complement each other as both are endowed with abundant tourism resources, he added. 

The mascots for the activity in August were also revealed at the conference. They are a steed representing Ordos and an Asian elephant representing Xishuangbanna. 

The two sides signed a strategic partnership agreement at the news conference, which was followed by a tourism promotion.

A young woman wearing traditional Inner Mongolian clothing is ready to welcome potential visitors to learn more at the Ordos stand. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordosnews]

A representative from Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province promotes the city in her speech at the news conference. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordosnews]