Yizhou signs 600m yuan ecotourism project

Yizhou in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, signed an ecotourism development contract with the Guangxi Jianrui Tourism Development Company on April 28, in a deal worth 600 million yuan ($92.1 million) in investment.

The contract details the construction of the Lijing Bay Ecotourism Area Development Project, located at Luoxi town with a total planned area of 2,600 mu (about 173 hectares). It is expected to be completed within five years in two phases. The program also involves a 228 mu real estate project for wellness and health care.

The project is aimed at improving Yizhou's eco-credentials and stimulating the rural tourism market, increasing capacity and the role of tourism plays in the local economy.

Yizhou is an ancient cultural tourist city with a history of more than 2,100 years. It has abundant tourism resources and a diverse folk culture. It is classed as a Chinese Outstanding Tourism City, one of the most characteristic folk cultural tourist destinations and China's first village with its own self-governance area.

The city now has two national 4A tourism spots, five 3A tourist attractions, four Guangxi four-star rural tourist areas, 16 star-rated rural home inns and nine starred hotels. It also has eight travel agencies and two tourism transport companies. The city has won many awards for its endeavors in tourism, attractive landscaping, environmental conservation and unique customs.

Edited by Owen Fishwick