Rural development helps increase visitors to Gansu

Northwest China's Gansu province saw robust growth and development in its tourism industry in the first half of 2019, according to local officials.

During the period, Gansu received 160 million visitors and generated 113.43 billion yuan ($16.49 billion) in tourism revenue, a year-on-year increase of 25.6 percent and 31 percent, respectively.

Rural tourism has been a major focus in the province, where small villages have been transforming their economies to provide better tourism facilities, such as hotels and homestays, as well as shopping and activities for visitors.

The Gansu government invited colleges, media representatives and enterprises to establish a team to evaluate the performances of 104 rural tourism demonstration villages which are piloting the new economic model. The team will evaluate and provide consultation services to a further 100 villages wishing to become demonstration villages this year.

In the first six months, the provincial government earmarked 71.06 million yuan for impoverished regions to develop their tourism industries in a bid to alleviate poverty. The government invited a design team headed by Mi Qiu, a noted architect and artist, to Bulenggou village in the Linxia Hui autonomous prefecture, to assist with planning and design centered on rural tourism.

Additionally, Gansu increased investment efficiency and promoted major cultural tourism projects during the six-month period.

Local authorities also earmarked 5 million yuan in support of the formulation of an overall plan for the greater Dunhuang cultural tourism economic circle that centers on Dunhuang, known for its Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The government has supported Dunhuang Academy in speeding up the construction of the Mogao Grottoes' tourist service center.

A more versatile connection among scenic areas along the Yellow River has also been urged, with night tours and live performances taking place on the river.

Financial support is a major factor behind the sustainable growth of local tourism. The authorities cooperated with the Bank of China and China Development Bank, and encouraged financial institutions to support cultural tourism.

Thanks to the cooperation, the Guanegou scenic area in Longnan city secured a loan of 225 million yuan from the Gansu branch of China Development Bank, of which, 150 million yuan has been given to a tourism development company.

The authorities have also called on local businesses to increase collaboration with other regions in China. Five cultural tourism companies from Gansu attended a Gansu-Hong Kong entrepreneurs matchmaking event held in Shenzhen, Guangdong province in June, seeking cooperation opportunities in investment and on projects.

Local officials said that they focused on projects that big conglomerates such as Wanda intend to invest in. They also hoped major cultural tourism projects would be signed at the Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo and the Dunhuang Tour Silk Road International Tourism Festival, which opened on July 30 in the Gannan Tibet autonomous prefecture and will end on Aug 31 in Dunhuang city.

Gansu has been able to capitalize on opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative allowing it to be well prepared for the expo and the festival. Foreign guests, international tourism industry insiders and media representatives were invited to join in the events. So far, the events established a strategic partnership with more than 10 financial institutions and companies, including the Gansu branch of Bank of China, with investment of more than 20 million yuan.

The province is also promoting the artistry and creativity of its residents by holding a vast number of cultural activities from opera performances to art exhibitions.

The Gansu government organized representatives from two large opera houses to perform in impoverished regions to inspire better preservation of local culture, creativity and heritage.

Additionally, more stringent regulations have been introduced with regard to Gansu's sections of the Great Wall, as well as a policy on strengthening reform on protection and utilization of cultural relics.

The government has also launched cultural relic protection projects to better protect statues and murals at Mogao Grottoes and the ruins of Yumen Pass, a strategic point on the ancient Silk Road.

Priority scenic spots this year

Gansu plans to build 10 large scenic areas this year. Some of them are at Kongtong Mountains, Maiji Mountains and Guanegou National Forest Park.

Kongtong Mountains

Kongtong Mountains is located in Pingliang city. With an area of 84 square kilometers, the elevation of its main peak is 2,123 meters and the forest coverage rate is more than 95 percent. Noted people who have visited the area include Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first emperor in China, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220) and poets Du Fu and Bai Juyi during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Maiji Mountain

Located in Tianshui city, the scenic area boasts one of China's four large grottoes and is known as the "Eastern Sculpture Gallery". Its main attractions include Maiji Mountain, Shimen Mountain and Jieting Hot Spring.

Guanegou National Forest Park

Guanegou National Forest Park in Longnan city covers an area of 42,000 hectares. It boasts landscapes of forests, grassland among others. It is home to more than 3,000 people from the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups.

Lanzhou Yellow River Scenic Belt

Lanzhou is the only provincial capital in China that Yellow River flows through. The large scenic area extends more than 150 kilometers. It boasts a large open riverside park and 25 themed parks and sculptures. It is home to 22 modern bridges, 14 wharves and various types of ships. It has tourism facilities such as a music fountain and a path for walking and sightseeing.

Yellow River Stone Forest

The scenic area is located in the transitional zone between Loess Plateau and Tengger Desert. The tallest peak in the area has an elevation of about 3,018 meters and the lowest altitude is 1,480 meters. The stone forest is thought to be 4 million years old and is mainly comprised of yellow glutenite.