ROME, May 20-- A promotional event to celebrate"Beautiful China 2015, Year of Silk Road Tourism" took place here on Tuesday night, with various activities intended to bring Italian travelers closer to one of China's most fascinating attractions.

The initiative was organized by the Chinese National Tourist Office in Italy, as part of a wider campaign launched by the Chinese government to promote international tourism on the ancient Silk Road that linked China with central Asian nations.

The event was held at Rome's Eataly, a major retailer of high quality Italian gastronomy.

Italian visitors gathered to enjoy a lesson of Chinese language while even more followed a master class of Chinese cuisine.

Later in the evening, a major celebration offered detailed information about the many attractions of the Silk Road in terms of nature, history, culture, ancient arts and the different local traditions.

Representatives from 13 Chinese provinces offered a wide choice of tourism material and brochures in Italian language.

A big help to the presentation also came from the evening's Italian presenter, who told the audience about his own amazing experiences.

"I have traveled 13 times along the Silk Road, and with the most various means," Beppe Tenti, a well-known travel journalist and globetrotter, said.

"I have used cars and trucks. I once rode the bicycle from the Italian city of Como to Beijing, and then traveled again from Milan to Shanghai to enjoy the Expo 2010 there," Tenti added.

In his personal point of view, the Chinese side of the Silk Road was "the most diverse and interesting of all paths."

Indeed, the ancient Silk Road played a key role in connecting the people of Asia and Europe and bringing the two cultures closer, while promoting trade exchanges and commerce.

Today, it still charms passionate travelers, and Tuesday's guests could get a taste of how fascinating such a journey could be.

Beautiful pictures of the natural, cultural and historical attractions in the provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang were displayed throughout the evening.

It piqued the interest of many would-be tourists.

"I would love to visit China and the Silk Road for their architectural attractions, since that is my field of study," fresh graduate Giada Lamonarca told Xinhua.

The young woman, who took part in the Chinese cuisine class along with her mother, said food would be another major point of interest.

"Food would be another good way to get to know the Chinese people and understand their different traditions," she said.