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Tourism
Resources
China is a vast land, rich in
tourism resources. It comes out in front in the world in scenic
spots and historical sites, spectacular landscapes, and colorful
and varied national customs. At present, there are two major tour
routes in China: One is the ??S??-shaped traditional tour route, containing
famous political and cultural cities such as Beijing, Xi??an, Shanghai,
Suzhou and Hangzhou; the other one is the crescent-shaped tour route
containing coastal open regions, such as the Liaodong and Shandong
peninsulas and the Yangtze and Pearl river deltas. Following the
??S??-shaped tour route, tourists may climb the Badaling Great Wall
and visit the Imperial Palace and Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and
view the terracotta warriors and horses excavated from the Mausoleum
of the First Qin Emperor, the Stele Forest and the Great Wild Goose
Pagoda in Xi??an, wander along the bustling Bund and Nanjing Road
and through the Pudong New Zone in Shanghai, enjoy Suzhou??s gardens
and the sights of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Following the crescent-shaped
tour route, visitors may get some idea of the enormous changes which
have taken place in the open coastal cities since the initiation
of reform and opening to the outside world, and appreciate the charming
seaside areas in north and south China. Moreover, the coastal towns
all have holiday villages and various recreation facilities.
In 2000, China is sponsoring the
??China Century Tour.?? The program consists of dozens of tourism
celebrations and festivals, such as the Ice and Snow Festival, Lantern
Festival, and Pingyao Ancient City Cultural Festival. Nine specially
chosen tourism routes along the Yangtze River, Yellow River and
Three Gorges are expected to attract more foreign tourists. Meanwhile,
China is starting large-scale promotion activities in the domestic
tourism market, so as to make the Chiense people get to know their
own country??s tourism resources better. During the China Century
Tour activities, China is promoting ??China??s World Heritage??World-Level
Tourist Attractions in the 21st Century?? as China??s competitive
products in the international tourism market.
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Longshouya
(Dragon Head Cliff) at Mount Lushan in Jiangxi Province.
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The
Qiao family compound--a famous private residence in Shanxi Province.
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| Chinese music, dance
and opera, and the culture and customs of ethnic minorities are treasure
stores of tourism resources. Coming to China, tourists appreciate
folk art, including uniquely charming Peking Opera performances and
comic dialogues, and also learn about ethnic customs such as the Dai
Water Sprinkling Festival, Yi Torch Festival, Bai March Street, Zhuang
Singing Festival and Mongolian Nadam Fair. Besides, tasting Chinese
cuisine is an absolutely necessary part of touring in China. The Beijing
Roast Duck of the Quanjude Restaurant, Mongolian boiled mutton, Guangdong??s
roasted piglet, Hangzhou??s West Lake vinegar fish, Sichuan??s spicy
beancurd and a variety of local-flavor snacks are only some of China??s
culinary delights. |
