Days ahead of China's National Day, the country's tourism market is already heating up. To attract more visitors during the "golden week", which starts on October the 1st, some destinations not on the typical tourist map are stepping up their promotions.

Gushi County in central China's Henan Province has launched a promotion in the capital, hoping to lure Beijingers still undecided about their holiday plans. The county wants to offer something different with its "back to primitive nature" and "return to ancestral home" tours.

Head of Gushi County, Henan Province Fang Bo said, "Gushi is the hometown of many overseas Chinese. Fifty-eight Chinese family names originated there. Another hallmark of Gushi is its environment, which is still in its primitive state. It is also the dividing point of China's south and the north. Gushi provides a new choice for people to spend the National holiday."

At the ongoing Yangtze River Delta Tourism Products Trade Fair, a fictional pub described in famous Chinese writer Lu Xun's novel has been given life to offer visitors a taste of Zhejiang Province's culture.

Not wanting to miss out on the promotional nirvana, Gansu, Shandong and Shanxi provinces and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are also showing off their tourism resources. And joining the competition is a team from France, inviting people to enjoy its wine and Mediterranean sunshine during the holiday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2004)