Hot spot

As one of the first eight Chinese parks approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Wudalianchi Volcanic National Geopark doesn't have the name recognition of more celebrated tourist sites such as the Huangshan mountain range.

Wudalianchi, which means five connected lakes, in northern Heilongjiang province, isn't easy to reach. Tourists wishing to visit the lakes and the surrounding volcanic formations, caves and hot springs currently must go from Harbin by train to Dedu, followed by a lengthy bus ride. The whole process can take five hours one-way.

"Wudalianchi was one of the first State scenic spots approved by the State Council in 1982," says Xu Fei, mayor of Wudalianchi. "But the spot hasn't won much fame due to the poor transportation."

Now, the situation is going to change. Xu tells China Business Weekly that Heilongjiang province plans to allocate 80 billion yuan to build new highways across the province in the next few years.

A new railway system is also planned. Currently the nearest rail access is 45 km from Wudalianchi but after the new line is in operation tourists will be able to reach the area directly by train.

Xu adds that a new airport may be in the offing also, but that may take another five years until it flies.

The mayor says Wudalianchi's remote access is due to a combination of the rural area's poverty and ignorance when it came to promoting its tourism industry.

"But since the economy has improved, the tourism industry has been getting more attention in recent years. The government started to work on the development of tourism, " says Xu.

In 2006, the city government also invested in a TV show called "Mineral Water and Volcano People" to popularize the stunning scenic spot. The series was written by He Qingkui, a famous scriptwriter who has created several popular TV shows.

"The TV series will be broadcast next year. I hope it will help to raise Wudalianchi's name recognition as He's other TV series did," says Xu.

The city government's effort to promote its tourism industry has been paying off. Earnings reached 100 million yuan in 2007, 30 percent up from the previous year.

Yet, there is no 4-star hotel in Wudalianchi, not to any mention 5-star hotel. Xu says the lack of supportive service has impeded quicker development.

Thus the area's hot springs Wendu Spa has invested 600 million yuan to build a 4-star hotel in the city. It is expected to be finished by this fall.

Wudalianchi's mineral water is another promotional plus. It is touted for its alleged health benefits including the treatment of stomach trouble, iron deficiency, anemia, gallstones, neurasthenia, skin diseases, and high blood pressure.

"The mineral water is really amazing for curing stomach-aches, " Xu testifies. "I have to take medicine for my stomach if I am not in Wudalianchi. But in Wudalianchi, I just need to drink the water. "

State mineral water authority Sun Changren agrees. "No other mineral spring water in China can compare with that of Wudalianchi," says Sun, vice-director and secretary-general of China's Special Committee on Mineral Spring Water.

"The city's tourism industry may just be starting, but I believe with improved transportation and promotion, Wudalianchi is going to be familiar to many very soon, " says Xu.

(China Daily 06/23/2008 page10)