REGIONAL> news
Rich tourism offers both heaven and earth
By Wen Zongduo (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-11 16:07
Hills and water at Guilin are top choices of world tourists.

 

Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has worked out plans to make itself a tourism destination for both China and the world by 2012. It will likely yield 100 billion yuan in tourism revenue by 2012 when the goals are met.

By 2012, the region will have 50 4-A scenic spots and expand industrial and agricultural tours to 400, according to the Guangxi regional tourism bureau.

The tourism specialties available are:

Elite tour of waters and hills

Guangxi is famed for its hilly terrain, charming waters, caves and stone formations. Once in the famed Guilin in northern Guangxi, the tourists are embraced by rolling landscape that seem like paintings of dreamy lands.

Guilin Mayor Li Zhigang said locals have improved facilities to make tourists feel more at ease.

Ethnic folklore tours

Guangxi is home to 11 ethnic minorities that have kept their own tradition for centuries. The elite tour from Liuzhou to Rongshui, Sanjiang and Longsheng catches not only the beauty of nature and the wonder of farmland sprawling across hills, but also the colorful life of local people.

Border mystery trips

Heading south from the regional capital Nanning, travelers reach the cities of Congzuo and Bose, set amid primitive wonderlands along the border with Vietnam. Locals are presenting 10 "mystery exploration" trips, with natural scenery that includes deep valleys, cross-border waterfalls and stone forests.

Offshore resorts

Blue water, azure sky, white beaches and isolated volcanic islands are main features along the coast of Beibu Bay. Among them is a cruise trip from Dongxing customs port in Beihai to Vietnam, which attracts many tourists.

Longevity findings

Health and longevity are human dreams throughout history. Bama in Guangxi, an expanse of pure land, is said to be a place where such dreams come true. Added to the allure are hot springs and golf courses.

Footprints of Deng Xiaoping

More than 80 years ago, late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping led his Red Army men in fighting for today's republic, leaving behind stories and memorial sites from Bose to Guilin.

The headquarters of Red Army divisions and their battlegrounds have become major attractions for "red tours".