This bid, for the scenic spot programme, is the first of its kind in Guangdong, said Zheng Tongyang, director of the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration.

"The proper and general development of Danxia Mountain plays an essential role in building up Shaoguan's fame and further development," said Xu Jianhua, mayor of Shaoguan.

Altogether, four will be selected as potential winners among all the bidders.

Each of the four can get a sum of 400,000 yuan (US$48,192) as compensation for the costs of taking part in the bid.

The final winner will be awarded another 800,000 yuan (US$ 96,400), said Xu.

Located in the mountainous northern area of Guangdong Province, Shaoguan, a relative under-developed place, shares little of the prosperity of the cities in the Pearl River Delta, has been for years seeking its "best economic point."

Being well endowed by nature, the mountain enjoys a good reputation as National Geology and Geomorphology Protection Zone, National Geology Park and National Tourism Zone.

The area is now in the running to become a World Geology Park.

But up to now only one-tenth of the total 290 square kilometers mountain area have been explored and visited, bringing some 600,000 tourists to visit it every year.

Bids can be made from June 30 until August 10, said Xu.

(China Daily July 2, 2003)