Hubei forestry district seeks to become leading winter sports center

Shennongjia Forestry District in Hubei province in Central China is hoping to build a leading winter sports center in an aim to make a green travel destination one of the leading national parks in the country.

Liu Qijun, head of the Shennongjia Forestry District and an NPC deputy, said on Tuesday that Shenongjia has the natural resources and environment to develop a top winter sports and winter economy.

"The snow inventory period in Shennongjia lasts between 70 to 100 days each year and its depth of snow can reach 80 centimeters," said Liu.

The district is home to five skiing areas, including Shennongjia International Ski Resort, with an investment of 150 million yuan ($22.35 million). It covers an area of 150,000 square meters and is equipped with two high-level slide tracks. It is considered the largest ski resort in South China.

Shennongjia is expected to grab a share of the soaring winter sports and tourism market as the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games is approaching.

The district also has developed snow-related travel products, including snow and sculpturing and hot springs. Last winter the district attracted nearly 300,000 people times.

The idea to make Shennongjia a winter travel destination is one of the district goals in developinga high quality green economy.

In 2018, the district received 15.9 million visits, an increase of 20.1 percent, while achieving traveling revenue of 5.7 billion yuan, up 20.3 percent year-on-year. Its other travel themes include health programs focusing on traditional Chinese medicine.