The First Zhangjiakou Tourism Industry Development Conference, themed on innovating the tourism development model, opened on Aug 26 in Yu county, Zhangjiakou city, Hebei province.
Zhangjiakou is in northwestern Hebei province and due to its geographical proximity to Beijing, the city is nicknamed "Beijing's Northern door" and "The Gateway to Beijing".
With a long history and rich natural wonders, Zhangjiakou has a lot to offer tourists.
Bordering the Mongolia Plateau, it enjoys a landscape characterized by grasslands and towering mountains, as well as deep valleys. Attractions like Xiao Wutai Mountain, the Zhangbei grasslands and Yu county, which is renowned for its folk culture, are very diverse and can satisfy even the most discerning travelers.
It is worth noting that apart from the natural scenery and folk customs, Zhangjiakou also has special offerings to cater to the demands of modern-day tourists.
In Zhangjiakou, there are a number of ski resorts. These resorts are among the best in North China, earning the city the honor of hosting the 2022 Winter Olympic Games with Beijing.
In recent years, Zhangjiakou municipal government has paid paramount attention to the development of the tourism industry, more investment has been made and infrastructure has been upgraded. Tourism in Zhangjiakou is now on the fast track. In 2016, nearly 52 million visitors were received in Zhangjiakou, a 34.95% increase compared to the previous year.
According to Mayor Wu Weidong, the city is going to further integrate its tourism resources, craft more innovative travel products and upgrade tourism services to cultivate tourism as a strategic pillar industry of Zhangjiakou. This may further enhance the integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.