During the opening ceremony, the China Cultural Relic Protection Foundation awarded the Mengjinglai scenic spot in Daluo town with the honorary medals and diplomas of "China cultural tourism demonstration base" and "China Dai culture protection and inheritance demonstration base." [Photo/An Wei, China.org.cn]

On Jan. 6, 2013, the forum on "China's Cultural Heritage protection and cultural tourism development" along with the"2013 discovery tour of China's cultural heritage: stepping into Mengjinglai, Xishuangbanna" took place at Mengjinglai village , in the Xishuangbanna Prefecture of China's southern Yunnan Province.

During the opening ceremony, the China Cultural Relic Protection Foundation awarded the Mengjinglai scenic spot in Daluo town with the honorary medals and diplomas of "China cultural tourism demonstration base" and "China Dai culture protection and inheritance demonstration base."

During the forum, experts discussed different options to better enhance the protection, inheritance, utilization and sustainable development of cultural heritage in ethnic minority areas, and at the same time promote the development of cultural tourism.

The event was hosted by the China Cultural Relic Protection Foundation, the China National Architecture Research Association and the government of the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, assisted by the government of Menghai County. Yunnan Golden Peacock Tour Group Co., Ltd. was in charge of the overall organization.

Big names attending the opening ceremony included President of the China Cultural Relic Protection Foundation (CCRPF) and former Deputy Director with the State Administration of Cultural Heritage Zhang Bai; Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China National Architecture Research Association Xiao Houzhong; cultural heritage protection commissioner with the UNESCO Representative Office Du Xiaofan; and Executive Secretary of the CCRPF An Ran. Several members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference were in attendance as well.

"The discovery tour of China's cultural heritage" is a significant national initiative in the field of cultural heritage protection and communication. It increases the notability and influence of all participating cities, gives advice on heritage protection and development in different places, popularizes cultural tourism, raises funds for protection projects and contributes to the promotion of Chinese culture in the rest of the world.