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Tourists to be wooed by new green zone

By Zhao Yanrong (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-19 07:54

The first low-carbon tourism zone in the capital will be created in Miyun county this year, complementing the central government's plan to cut 40 to 45 percent of carbon dioxide emissions by 2020.

The zone will be north of the Miyun Reservoir and cover more than 30 sq km of arable land and mountains northwest of urban Beijing, a press release on the county's tourism bureau's website reports.

"The area is the core of ecological preservation in Miyun county and is important for the protection of the Miyun Reservoir, which is the largest reservoir and a crucial water supplier for Beijing," Jia Limei, deputy director of Miyun tourism bureau, told METRO yesterday.

"We are not going to change the natural characteristics of this area, even if we are going to develop it into one of the most popular tourist spots in Beijing."

Jia said Miyun county is eager to echo the central government's plan of cutting carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in 2020 by 40 to 45 percent - a concept that will protect the existing character of the area and attract tourists from downtown Beijing.

"We have built two tourist routes and will have bicycle rentals in the low carbon zone," she said. "Travelers can enjoy the beautiful view and exercise their bodies. There will be no carbon dioxide emissions. This is good for everyone."

Large modern hotels will not be allowed in the low emissions area. Small country inns will be encouraged and the use of solar energy and marsh gas will be pushed as important energy sources.

The bureau will also encourage tourists to enjoy outdoor activities and discourage the use of televisions and air-conditioners.

Garbage will also be kept to a minimum.

Further details, such as the budget for the project and its timetable, have not been released.

"Miyun county is the greenest place I have visited in the Beijing area, so I cannot see how much difference the low carbon zone will make to emissions in Beijing," said outdoor enthusiast Wang Xudong, manger of the RV fan site 21rv.com, which is the biggest RV online group in Beijing.

Wang said there is a growing trend in tourism to want to get closer to nature and reduce pollution.