The 10th Pingyao International Film Festival is bringing film enthusiasts from across China to the historic city of Pingyao in north China's Shanxi Province, where cinema and traditional culture meet.

Running for seven days from September 24, the festival coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the ancient city alongside its film programme. Many are visiting historic sites and nearby temples, sampling local food and purchasing film-themed and cultural and creative products.

For some visitors, the festival has become a way to experience Pingyao beyond the cinema, with its historic architecture providing a distinctive setting for discussions, screenings and cultural activities.

The influx of visitors has also benefited local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, transport operators, scenic attractions and cultural and creative shops.

With more than 2,700 years of history, Pingyao is renowned for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty urban landscape. Covering 2.25 square kilometres, the ancient city has more than 300 cultural relics and nearly 4,000 traditional buildings. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.