Shaanxi county uses tourism to boost poverty alleviation

Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve in Qinling Mountains occupies the intersection of Zhashui county, Chang'an county and Ningshan county. The section in Zhashui county started construction in 2008 and began to receive tourists in 2010.

Zhou Heng, president of Niubeiliang Ecology Development Company, the developer of the scenic area, said the scenic spot receives about 500,000 tourists every year. The pouring in of tourists has driven the growth of the local economy and helped increase the income of local rural people.

"The development of the scenic area has injected energy to the farm stay industry. There are more than 200 farm family resorts run by local villagers so far," Zhou said. "The per-capita income of residents around the scenic area has now increased to 18,000 yuan, up from 3,500 before the opening of the scenic spot," he added.