TEHRAN – A delegation of Chinese media influencers recently visited cultural heritage sites along segments of the ancient Silk Road situated within Iran’s Semnan province.

It was the first-ever Silk Road familiarization tour being conducted for such media personnel from China, CHTN reported.

The Silk Road (aka Silk Roads), an ancient network of trade routes connecting the East and West, holds profound historical and cultural significance. It served as a conduit for the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between civilizations spanning thousands of miles.

The fam tour, including stopovers at Garmsar, Semnan, Damghan, Shahrud, and Mashhad at the end of the journey, was arranged to paint a portrayal of both precious historical and cultural features within the region.

“Each of the invited influencers has about three million followers on popular Chinese platforms such as TikTok, Red, and Weibo,” the chief said.

As stated by officials, a total number of 60 million Chinese are following these 20 social media influencers, which bring to light the wide extent of impact with the intention of absorbing foreign tourists.

As participants engaged with local experts and historians, they gained insights into the profound impact of the Silk Road on shaping the cultural, economic, and social dynamics of the region.

The tour not only fostered a deeper understanding of Iran's rich cultural heritage but also strengthened the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the people of Iran and China.

Semnan, with its strategic location along the ancient trade routes, provided the perfect backdrop for this immersive experience. From the majestic caravanserais that once hosted weary travelers to the awe-inspiring landscapes that captivated the imaginations of explorers, every stop on the tour offered a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the Silk Road's history.

Millions of Chinese get to know Iran through cellphones

Four Fam Tours, each framed in a special theme, have been arranged to fascinate 20 Chinese influencers with a total of 60 million followers on different social media platforms as a means to prospering inbound tourism in Iran.

Before the present time, three fam tours targeting Chinese influencers (users on social media who have established credibility in a specific industry) are conducted as Iran sees the arrival of the fourth and last group coming to explore its capacities in the culinary tourism field.

According to the related officials, the first group with a slogan of “climate diversity and nature” paid visits to Tehran, Hormozgan, and Kerman with a focus on enchanting natural places of interest.

Detailing the first group’s trip, the Foreign Tourism chief pointed to experiencing both freezing weather in Tochal Ski Resort located in the northern capital, and sweltering weather on the Persian Gulf’s shoreline.

Moslem Shojai also elucidated the second familiarization tour which aimed to showcase the cultural and historical capacities of the country with stops at Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd, Shiraz, and Tehran.

“Set out to draw attention to the rich history and valuing the attested cultural bonds,” the official stated, “the third tour framed with a centerpiece of Silk Road.”

The significance of picking out the Silk Road slogan comes into play considering the path as networks of roads contributed to the exchange of goods and ideas among diverse cultures dating back more than a thousand years.

Shojai also outlined the readiness to welcome the last but not least team consisting of Chinese influencers with a main focus on culinary tourism.

He further detailed the fourth planned fam tour, stating that stops include, Qazvin, Gilan, Zanjan, and East Azarbaijan to introduce a part of numerous traditional recipes cooked in different areas of the country.