Construction of a new airport in southwest China's Sichuan Province is underway. The Airport will link two of China's most popular tourist areas, Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong and will also connect the Songpan Grassland with Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong are famous for their clean and colorful lakes, natural forests and beautiful landscape and up to 1.2 million Chinese and overseas tourists visit them annually.

Both areas are listed with the United Nation's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as one of the world's natural heritage treasures and are members of the international biosphere network.

A provincial government official says the new airport will make it possible to form a direct air traffic network between Sichuan and other tourist cities in western China such as Kunming, Xi'an and Lanzhou,

The Jiuzhai-Huanglong Airport will cost 777 million yuan to be provided by the State Development Bank and the governments of Kuwait and Sichuan Province. It is expected to be open by September 2003.
Xi'an, tourist-boom ready

XI'AN: One of the country's hottest tourism destinations, this capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, is ready for the influx of visitors in forthcoming "golden week" of tourism from May 1 to 7.

"The preparation, including transportation, restaurants, hotels and tour services, has been well arranged for the coming visitors from all over the country," said Li Zhenhua, an official at the Xi'an Golden Tour Week Administrative Office, a special municipal government organ.

During the period of April 29 to May 7, Xi'an will adds eight pairs of special temporary trains linking Shanghai, Xuzhou, Lanzhou, Xining, Chengdu, Rizhao, Hefei and Zhangjiajie, making it easier to reach Xi'an from the eastern and western parts of the country, Li said.

Chang'an Airlines will also add air routes and flights to meet demand during this peak time and continue to improve services, Li said.
Last weekend, local government departments carefully examined the hygiene, safety, prices and services at the city's restaurants and hotels, Li added.