Gansu leverages cultural heritage to boost tourism

He Xiaozu, vice-mayor of Jiuquan, added that the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center could also serve as a driving force for the development of local tourism.

This year, Jiuquan is planning to build an aerospace-themed zone in Suzhou district, where visitors can experience a weightless environment, car racing and a virtual-reality space battle, as well as visit the launching tower of China's Shenzhou series of spacecrafts.

The vice-mayor also said that the city can benefit from its dramatic landscapes.

"Jiuquan is abundant in snowcapped mountains, forests, grassland, deserts, oases, rivers and canyons," vice-mayor He continued. "We should organize outdoor activities like hiking, running, climbing and paragliding - based on those natural settings - to entertain tourists and meet their varied demands."

It is worth noting that, during the offseason, Ming Sha Shan (Echoing-Sand Mountain) and Yue Ya Quan (Crescent Spring), Yadan National Geological Park, the Yangguan Pass and other scenic spots in Jiuquan waive admission charges for residents of Gansu province, while tourists from outside the area pay only half price.

People can also get entry into four of the caves at Mogao Grottoes that are closed during summer.

Separately, Shi Peihua, an official with a China travel think tank, emphasized the importance of using a wider vision in the process of promoting Dunhuang tourism circle.

"Dunhuang used to be the place where different cultures integrated with each other, which could inspire people to not only use local tourism resources but also that of all the countries involved in the Belt and Road initiative," Shi suggested, adding: "For instance, let's treat the visitors to the delicious food of Dunhuang and from these other countries, allowing them to experience the various cultures along the ancient Silk Road."