Lijiang Prefecture, a popular tourist spot in southwest China's Yunnan Province, changed its name to Lijiang City on Sunday, with the approval of the State Council, China's cabinet.
The move is aimed to boost the development of the local tourism industry, said He Zixing, the newly-elected mayor, adding that efforts will be made to build Lijiang into a world-class tourist destination.
The tourism industry has developed rapidly in Lijiang over the last few years, with more than three million tourists from home and abroad arriving last year.
Many of the prefectures established during China's planned economy era have been granted the status of "city" in recent years.
One ancient downtown district and four counties, including the Yulong (Jade Dragon) Naxi Autonomous County and Yi Autonomous County of Ninglang are under the administrative jurisdiction of new Lijiang City.
Located in the northwest of Yunnan, Lijiang is famous for its unique landscape and ethnic groups. Lijiang's attractions include an ancient city which dates back more than 800 years and the rich culture of the ethnic Naxi people.
In 1997, Lijiang was listed as one of the World Cultural Heritage sites by the United Nations Educational Cultural and Scientific Organization.
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2003)
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