Tourism gem emerging in Wulong

District is building itself into a popular destination with rich natural resources

Over the past three decades, Wulong, a formerly poverty-stricken mountain region in Chongqing, has undergone a face-lift through developing tourism and it now aims to attract more global guests to experience its unique landscape and rich culture.

"Tourism has been our pillar industry for 30 years. By 2035, Wulong will become a world famous tourist destination," He Qing, the district's Party chief, said recently.

"We will strictly adhere to the standards of world-class tourist attractions and enhance the international level of tourism products, marketing, facilities and services."

Located about 130 kilometers southeast of Chongqing's urban area, Wulong is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural depth.

In 2007, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for its karst landforms and several major attractions, including three natural bridges, its gorge valley, Furong Cave and Xiannyu Mountain.

In the past, the region was listed among national-level poverty-stricken areas due to limited arable land and a lack of infrastructure. Because of its karst topography, the ground is rocky and the meager soil can hold little water.

The accidental discovery of Furong Cave, renowned for its stunning array of geological formations, by a few villagers in 1993 marked the start of tourism development.

Since 1994, tourism has become the major driver of the local economy and made Wulong a model for sustainable development.

On April 24, President Xi Jinping told a symposium in Chongqing on promoting the development of the western region in the new era that county economies with distinctive characteristics should be developed, and a batch of counties strong in the agricultural, industrial and tourism sectors should be fostered to ensure that farmers have job opportunities near their hometowns and that their incomes increase, and that urbanization is advanced in accord with local conditions.