A visitor swipes her digital social security card at the entrance of Xikou Scenic Spot in Fenghua district, Ningbo. [Photo provided by Zhang Xuemi for chinadaily.com.cn] 

Residents of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region have been able to use their social security cards at 48 scenic spots in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province since Sept 27, part of efforts to promote the integration of the YRD region.

It is Zhejiang's first attempt to mutually recognize social security cards among all cities in the region in the area of tourism. Cardholders from other cities in the region can enjoy the same services at any of the 48 scenic spots in Ningbo, just like locals.

Feng Ying, deputy director of the Cultural and Tourism Information Center of the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, noted, "the whole process is supported by the cooperation between cities in the YRD region in terms of the sharing of digital information.”

"Digital technology is boosting high-level integration of the YRD region," said Feng.

A Shanghai resident surnamed Qi visited Jiufeng Mountain Scenic Spot in Ningbo after he learned about the news.

He was able to walk directly in after booking a ticket online and swiping his card at the entrance machine. "It is so convenient now," said Qi.

"Before, I needed to book the ticket in advance and then spend ages standing in line to get the paper ticket. That's why I seldom visited scenic spots in Ningbo before. But I will visit more in the future.”