The 4th Cultural Discovery Tour for diplomats based in China is currently under way with 13 envoys from 11 countries taking part in it. [Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

The 4th Cultural Discovery Tour for diplomats based in China is currently under way in Central China's Hunan province. The trip, in which 13 envoys from 11 countries are taking part, began on December 5 and ends on December 8.

The in-depth trip, organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Hunan provincial government, covers a wide range of cultural and natural attractions unique to the region, including the Hunan Puppet and Shadow Art Protection & Inheritance Center and the Changde Poetry Wall, which is a collection of Chinese contemporary poems, calligraphy and fine arts, and is known as the world's longest art wall that combines poems, paintings and sculptures; The most noteworthy stop on the itinerary was the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which was listed as one World Natural Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1992 and is a signature attraction of Hunan province.

The aim of the tour is to expose foreign diplomats to the cultural charms of Hunan province, which is rich in both natural wonders as well as cultural heritage. Hopefully a deeper understanding can be achieved through this event so that more exchanges and cooperation between China and these countries can take place in the future.