Night scenery in Zhengding county, Shijiazhuang, Hebei province.[Photo by Liang Zidong/ For chinadaily.com.cn]

After dinner, Yang Yuhua and his family would often go for a drive on their electric tricycle along several major streets in Zhengding, a county lined with ancient buildings in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province.

"It's quite comfortable, feeling the gentle breeze and seeing the night scene around the ancient town," said the 42-year-old. His tricycle has just enough space for himself, his wife and two daughters.

Night scenery in Zhengding county, Shijiazhuang, Hebei province.[Photo by Liang Zidong/ For chinadaily.com.cn]

Located about 300 kilometers southwest of downtown Beijing, the county boasts a history of more than 1,600 years and hosts more than 38 ancient building sites, including towers and temples.

In recent years, the county has made great efforts to restore its antiquities and improving its overall environment, striving to further develop its tourism industry.

That work has paid off. Numerous tourists are coming from downtown Shijiazhuang and neighboring areas.

"I think our hometown has become very dynamic with more people coming and enjoying the scenery together," he said.

According to the local government, the county received nearly eight million tourist visits in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of over 170 percent and up 5.29 percent compared with the same period in 2019.

"I'm very proud my hometown is becoming better and the development has benefited not only tourists but also us locals," Yang said.