On May 22, tourism officials and representatives of major scenic areas in Aba held a promotional meeting in Shenzhen.

Aba is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic tourist destinations in Sichuan and even in China. It neighbors Sichuan’s capital Chengdu, has the second-largest Tibetan community in Sichuan and is a major settlement for the Qiang people. It exercises jurisdiction over 13 counties and cities with an area of 84,200 square kilometers and a population of 920,000.

Aba is the site of three World Natural Heritage Sites, one wetland of international importance, 25 nature reserves and four national forest parks. It is also a key ecological defense in the upper reaches of Yangtze River and Yellow River and a treasure house of genes of organisms. Tibetan Opera and the Qiang New Year have entered the tentative list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Aba is also home to 29 key cultural relics sites under the state protection, 19 intangible cultural heritages and one demonstration area of cultural industry.

Tourism is a pillar of local economy. Aba has nine national- and provincial-level places of interest, three national AAAAA-level scenic areas, ten AAAA-level scenic areas and five red-tourism attractions.

Shenzhen is the first stop of Aba’s tourism promotional tour which will also include Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing and other places. The tour is intended to match travel companies and scenic areas with target market.