Zeng says to further promote Datong's food culture, the city should dig out interesting stories of local dishes from history and standardize its catering industry.

Li Jianxin, deputy secretary-general of the National Tourism Reform and Development Advisory Committee added that opportunities could be provided for tourists to learn how to cook local snacks at restaurants and workshops, enriching their traveling experience in the city.

The forum also heard from a panel that included Beijing-based gourmet Dong Keping, professor Yang Honghao from the China Tourism Academy, and Liu Tianbei, chief editor of China National Travel, discussing the role of food in fueling the tourism development of Datong city.