Tian’e county in Hechi, Guangxi, has been striving to develop its Bama International Health Resort and Hongshui River Ecological International Health Resort to boost local tourism.

It received 774,000 domestic and foreign visitors in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year growth of 21.7 percent. The general income from tourism reached 760 million yuan ($124 million), with a year-on-year growth of 30.94 percent.

The Hongshui River in Tian’e county is a significant water source protection area in the Pearl River’s upstream reaches, and the starting point of Guangxi’s ecological protection project. With these advantages, Tian’e is striving to develop its Bama International Health Resort and nine other scenic spots, such as Hongshui River, Longtan Lake, Longtan Hydropower Station and Dashan Primitive Forest.

With the completed construction of six scenic spots, Tian’e has developed its own brand of “Kingdom of water and forest”. It has also built 24 rural tourist spots and farmhouse resorts to attract more tourists.

Tian’e county is planning to build 4A national tourist attractions, including the Buliu River Fairy Bridge, Weijiadong Forest Park and Chuandonghe Swallow Lake. It also plans to complete the construction of Dulong’s Four-star Rural Tourist Resorts, Yunbang Tourist Village and the development of Hongshui River Water Park and Tian’e Tourist Service Center.

Tian’e held the Guangxi Tian’e Hongshui River Cultural Tourism Festival in February, helping to promote the folk culture in the Hongshui River. The program Clean Hongshui River, broadcast on CCTV in June, also promoted Hongshui River’s tourism and other local tourism industries.