A Sichuan delegation, consisting of tourism officials and travel companies, arrived in Hong Kong on September 4 for a three-day promotion of the province's tourism resources and products in the special administrative region.

The trip is part of the “Beautiful China, more than pandas" overseas tourism marketing campaign sponsored by China National Tourism Administration and organized by Sichuan Tourism Development Commission.

In a promotional event attended by close to 100 local tourism professionals, the delegation introduced Sichuan’s sceneries, gourmet food, culture and folk customs.

When addressing the even, an official from Hacto, a Hong Kong-based tourism association, expressed the hope that travel, as a bridge for understanding, can enhance friendship and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Sichuan is known as the hometown of giant pandas. However, the southwest China province has more to offer. Sichuan, as the province in China with the most world heritage sites and key national scenic areas, boasts more than 4000 tourism resources of various kinds including snow mountains, lakes, forests, ancient Shu civilization and folk customs.

Among the various attractions are five world heritage sites: Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, and Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.

The event dedicated some time to the introduction of Meishan, a city 60 kilometers away from Chengdu.

Meishan is known as the hometown of the three famous literati in the Northern Song Dynasty: Su Xun and his sons Sushi and Suzhe. It is also home to the Buddhist site Lao’e Mountain, the Heilongtan Reservoir Scenic Area, the bamboo weaving technique, to list only a few.

Li Chun’en, a renowned Hong Kong writer and experienced traveler, recommended Sichuan’s tourism resources at the event.

Stunning Sichuan opera face-changing performance and tea-making performance were staged at the event  impressed the participants.

On September 6, the delegation visited a number of local travel agencies.