SHANGHAI, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- A tourism promotion event highlighting the Hexi Corridor, a key artery of the ancient Silk Road, was held in Shanghai on Friday, attracting diplomats, entrepreneurs and representatives from international organizations to explore the corridor's millennia-old history and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

Stretching nearly 1,000 km across northwest China's Gansu Province, the Hexi Corridor is home to five UNESCO World Heritage sites and more than 50 grottoes, and it is a major destination for travelers exploring the Silk Road.

Friday's event featured a photo exhibition as well as displays of intangible cultural heritage and local specialty products from the Hexi Corridor. Representatives from the cities along the corridor, including Zhangye and Jiuquan, presented their cultural and tourism offerings.

Gong Jiajia, deputy director of the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, expressed optimism that the event would draw more global attention to the province.

Wang Bing, vice governor of Gansu, extended a warm invitation at the event to global visitors to experience the unique culture of Gansu and the Hexi Corridor. ■