In a theater in Qihe county of Dezhou, Shandong province, audiences are captivated by a rare high-platform diving act in the epic drama Along the Yellow River, an unusual spectacle for an opera that highlights the region's rich Yellow River culture.

Unique cultural and tourism experiences offering refreshing escapes are keeping enthusiasm for summer travel high in the province.

Performers showcase aerial diving on stage in the epic drama Along the Yellow River. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To boost cultural and tourism consumption over the summer, a promotional event titled "Summer in Shandong through the Lens" was held from Aug 9 to 12. 

The four-day journey covers Jinan, Dezhou, Zibo, Weifang, and Yantai in Shandong, featuring attractions such as the Shandong Museum, China Ceramics and Glass Museum, and the Changdao Scenic Area.

The media team explores local history at Qingzhou Museum in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The event aims to explore innovative business models for integrating culture and tourism in Shandong, showcase new achievements in high-quality cultural-tourism development, and promote the province's image to media outlets nationwide.

"Since summer began, Shandong Museum's daily visitors have risen sharply, totaling 666,700 over 40 days — an average of 16,667 per day," said Liu Yanchang, director of the Shandong Museum, on Aug 9 during an interview with the media team.

To welcome summer vacation, China Ceramics and Glass Museum in Zibo upgraded its offerings with marine life exhibits, VR experiences, and soft clay art, providing youth with an immersive mythological journey that meets their diverse interests.