Taiyuan and Datong in Shanxi province have ranked 27th and 35th, respectively, among 106 major cities nationwide in the "China Urban International Internet Image Index Report", often referred to as a city's "digital business card" for its international image.

Taiyuan has utilized culture to open doors to the world in recent years. Riding the wave of the popular game Black Myth: Wukong, the city has turned ancient sites such as Jinci Temple into global cultural landmarks. Video productions such as the Overseas Vloggers View Taiyuan have showcased the city's unique charm to a global audience, amassing more than 3 billion overseas views. Ranking 27th signifies Taiyuan's successful transition from an industrial city to a cultural icon.

Datong's inclusion stems from its profound cultural heritage and innovative dissemination practices. By digitally empowering core attractions like the Yungang Grottoes and the Xuankong Temple, Datong has brought its heritage to life. Popular tourism offerings such as ancient city night tours, volcano camping, and Great Wall hiking have also transformed Datong into an internationally renowned year-round tourism destination.