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Representatives of the government of Yonghe county and Shanxi Hongyuan Yellow River-Themed Culture and Tourism Development Co sign an agreement to develop a modern agri-tourism demonstration area along the Yellow River, Aug 12. [Photo/chinanews.com] |
Yonghe county in Shanxi province is to build an agri-tourism demonstration area along the Yellow River, after the local government signed an agreement with Shanxi Hongyuan Yellow River-Themed Culture and Tourism Development Co on Aug 12.
With a history dating back over 2,000 years, Yonghe county has a variety of tourism attractions for visitors.
Yonghe has been developing a tourism industry utilizing its local advantages and has built a series of tourist attractions including Yonghe Yellow River Shequ National Geological Park.
In addition, the county has built new infrastructure to serve visitors to the area, including new roads and tourist centers.
With the Yellow River running for 68 kilometers through Yonghe, new tourism facilities are to be built around the river.
The local government and Shanxi Hongyuan Yellow River-Themed Culture and Tourism Development Co will introduce professional management and operation services, brand resources and technology to build an agri-tourism demonstration area along the river. The demonstration area is set to offer visitors sightseeing opportunities, as well as provide new healthcare and agricultural services.
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The Yellow River flows for 68 kilometers through Yonghe county at the eastern bank of Shanxi-Shaanxi Grand Canyon, leaving seven river bends in the county, which is called Qiankun Bend. [Photo/chinanews.com] |
The demonstration area project is set to receive total investment of 1.8 billion yuan ($261.96 million) and will focus on the development of Qiankun Bend which consists of seven rivers bends of the Yellow River in the county, and it will try to boost rural tourism in local villages through various agri-tourism programs such as fishing and farm work experience programs.
The demonstration area will cover 16 villages in four towns along the Yellow River, with several of the villages currently underdeveloped.
By taking this opportunity, we can dramatically improve local rural infrastructure, including transport, water supply and electricity coverage; allowing the villages to enjoy modern connections to the outside world, said Jia Tianshan, a top official of Yonghe county.
"As the demonstration area is constructed, the demand for rural homestays, organic food, folk handicrafts and souvenirs will grow. That is, more jobs will be created in farm produce storage and processing, logistics and tourism, helping increase employment in the related villages," he added.
Another vital part of the partnership is to develop a red date industry along the Yellow River using over 7,666 hectares of terrace fields in the county's Potou and Zhihe towns.
There are now over 13,333 hectares of date fields, 12,000 hectares of walnut fields, 12,000 hectares of fields growing wild pagoda trees, and fields set aside for growing the ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine in Yonghe county.
Due to the local climate and environment, the area is an ideal location for growing high-quality farm produce, especially dates, apples and walnuts.
