Non-governmental organizations unveiled new plans, including themed travel routes, studies on heritage items en route and other cultural exchange projects, on Belt and Road initiatives in Beijing on Saturday.

Focusing on cultural development along Belt and Road, an operation that will survey and promote intangible cultural heritage items from the Silk Road will be launched shortly from Xi'an, Shaanxi province. Initiated by the Silk Road Economic Belt Brand Alliance, it will extend beyond China all the way to Turkey and Italy.

A "Going West" travel route that highlights natural beauties and ecological protection from southwest China to Nipal has been set up by local federation.

A Silk Road data base that collects and analyses statistics from and for the Belt and Road has been established by Shanghai VSAT Network Systems Co.

"For a long time, China has emphasized the role of economic development over other things. But culture is the other leg for development to really sustain. Culture should be the focus now," said Zhang Guozuo, director of the Center of Soft Power Studies.

"We're known for high-speed trains, we're known for our economic growth. Now it's time we have our soft power influences," said Liu Jianxing, vice director general at the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission.