The best of the west

A new sightseeing loop, encompassing the natural highlights of western China, has been launched in a bid to boost tourism and further support the region's poverty alleviation programs

A tourism loop connecting the poor regions of western China has been launched in a bid to help locals to get out of poverty, while offering travelers primitive natural beauty and distinctive, folky charm.

The loop runs for roughly 11,000 kilometers and covers Tibet and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces.