Foreign tourism bureaus are also active on China's social networking sites to promote tourism information and attract Chinese visitors. London and Partners, the official organization to promote the city as a destination, is one of them.

"It's probably the best way to reach consumers directly. We're expanding our social media by putting more resources to it," says Julie Chappell, the organization's Director of Consumer Marketing and Digital Channels.

Some delegates said one key to successful tourism is to design a specific transportation system that fits the city.

Yangzhou, an eastern Chinese city that historically depended on water transport, has opened railways and an airport in recent years. As for inner-city transportation, there is a latticed public transport system fit with the city's layout.

"Without good transportation, there is no tourism. Without tourism, there can't be good transportation," said Dong Yuhai, vice-mayor of Yangzhou.

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