Officials announce the opening of the media tour to experience the landscape of the Oujiang River in South Zhejiang province in Longquan county, Zhejiang province on Nov 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A media tour aiming to promote tourism resources alongside Oujiang River was launched in Longquan county of Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 10.

The event was jointly sponsored by the Publicity Department of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Tourism and Zhejiang Daily Press Group.

Given that history and culture in a tourist resort serves an important part in promoting its tourism, the event focused on exploring its ecological tourism resources alongside the Oujiang River as well as digging out its related poetic culture to further promote the construction of the "Poetic Zhejiang" project.

Ge Xuebin, the deputy director of the Publicity Department of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, highlighted at the opening ceremony that culture should be the soul to tourism which can help boost tourism resources in rural areas.

Oujiang River, the second largest river in Zhejiang province, originates from Longquan county and flows through eight cities including Wenzhou city and Lishui city.

Xie Lingyun (420-581), a famous poet, who was the originator of the Chinese ancient landscape poetry style, created many a masterpiece in the Oujiang River basin for its spectacular landscape.

Ge Xuebin, the deputy director of the Publicity Department of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the opening ceremony, the first batch of 20 scenic spots alongside Oujiang River was launched, with nine in Lishui city and eleven in Wenzhou city.

Ge also stressed the significance of regional cooperation in boosting the tourism resources alongside the Oujiang River basin.

"To accelerate the construction of the Zhejiang Grand Garden project, much attention should also be paid not only to developing regional characteristics but also in deepening mutual cooperation."

Representatives from Longquan and Qingtian counties in Lishui as well as Yongjia and Lucheng in Wenzhou city delivered keynote speeches to introduce local tourism resources and shared ideas on how to boost tourism development in Zhejiang province.

A delegation from mainstream Chinese media outlets, travelers, photographers and scholars also embarked on a trip from Longquan Mountain to enjoy the picturesque scenery alongside the Oujiang River. The media tour wrapped up on Nov 12 in Wenzhou's Lucheng district.

Picturesque Longquan Grand Canyon in Longquan Mountain Tourist Resort which is one of the media tour spots. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]