The media group takes a group photo at the foot of Huashan mountain. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Co-sponsored by China Daily and the Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Administration, the Discover Shaanxi Trip invited 12 reporters and photographers from 11 renowned Asian media outlets to join China Daily staff from Oct 13 to 16, to experience Shaanxi's beautiful scenery and learn about its achievements in ecological civilization.

Zhu Baoxia, secretary-general of China Daily, extended a warm welcome during her opening address to the media who had traveled to Xi'an, and said she wished them all an unforgettable trip in Shaanxi province.

"China is now entering an era focusing on ecological civilization with a view to leaving their offspring a beautiful and clean environment. In echoing the ideology of ‘building a beautiful China', China Daily, a national leading English-language newspaper, has been committed to promoting Chinese culture and tourism, as well as improving China's national image. Shaanxi province, a cradle of Chinese civilization, has been the home of more dynastic capitals than any other region in China. With its rich historical and cultural heritage, Shaanxi province is ready to welcome friends from around the globe to come and visit," Zhu said.

Yin Weimin, deputy director of the International Tourism Promotion Department of the Shaanxi Provincial Tourism Administration, introduced several local cuisine specialties to the journalists and stressed the power and importance of the media in promoting Shaanxi culture to the rest of the world.

"President Xi Jinping proposed the idea of co-constructing a Silk Road Economic Belt on Sept 7, 2013. As the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and China's most significant central city in the Eurasian continental bridge, Xi'an has been adjusting its industrial structure and deepening cooperation with Eurasian countries in recent years," Yin said.

Yin quoted Xi's remarks when he paid a visit to Lincoln High School in Tacoma on Sept 23: "If you want to know a China with a history of 1,000 years, you should visit Xi'an; if you want to know a China with a history of 500 years, you should visit Beijing; if you want to know a China with a history of 10 years, you should visit Shanghai."

Shaanxi province has not only witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties but made many contributions to human civilization. During the four-day trip, journalists and photographers from overseas discovered Xi'an from their own perspectives.

Sanka Gayashan Vidanagama is the chief photojournalist of Ceylon Today, a daily newspaper published by Ceylon Newspapers.

"It was a pleasant and fruitful trip for me because I captured many striking pictures in the four-day event. After I am back in my country, I will promote these renowned places to our people," Sanka said.

Yeo Jun-suk, a staff reporter with The Korean Herald, spoke highly of Xi'an when visiting its City Wall.

"Xi'an is an amazing city that closely integrates its ancient history with modern elements. In our country, we have similar antique buildings, but not as good as the City Wall in terms of scale and preservation value," Yeo said.

Such "Discover" trips have been successfully held in many provinces to promote China's image by inviting Asian reporters and photographers to travel around the country. China Daily hopes the photographers will record China's rich natural and cultural landscapes, and the reporters will share their experiences of the Chinese spirit and cultural heritage with their readers around the world.