Tourists from Shanghai participate in a Chinese painting course in Tangzha ancient town on April 9, becoming the first group to experience a new style of tourism which integrates cultural training. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A new type of tourism debuted on April 9 in Tangzha ancient town – located in the Chongchuan district of Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province – when 30 visitors from the city of Shanghai learned Chinese painting there.

A professional teacher taught them in a romantic old courtyard, providing them with a special and distinctive tourism experience.

The visitors became the first group to try out a new form of tourism, which combines regular tourism with cultural training.

A Mr Huang, one of the 30 tourists from Shanghai, said he arrived in the ancient town on April 8. After checking in, he visited Xishi Street, 1895 – a cultural creativity industrial park in Nantong – and other surrounding places. Then he participated in the painting course on April 9.

Huang said that he had adored Chinese calligraphy and painting from a young age and he found it interesting to have a go at painting, in addition to general tourism experiences.

Tangzha ancient town has received many tourists from Shanghai before. But according to the feedback from some of them, the experience was far from thrilling and they had hoped for a more colorful time.

According to Huang Li, sales manager of Tangzha ancient town's cultural tourism department, the local tourism company has been planning novel forms of travel packages since last year.

Some of these integrate a range of cultural courses – including Chinese painting, paper cutting and photography – that aim to stimulate the tourists and provide them with a rich and satisfying experience. In addition, the company can also provide customized services to better meet the individual needs of travelers.