heilongjiang2011

Northern part of China has its own delights

By Zhang Zhao (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-04 15:33

The azalea flowers, blossoming in spring in Heilongjiang's forests, consist of one of the attractive sights for tourists. Zhao Tianhua / For China Daily

 

For example, with a local cuisine, where every dish has a story behind it

Authorities in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province are pinning their hopes on tourism for greater economic growth, and have their sights set on 12 major resorts.

Work on the resorts began last year, with 2.1 billion yuan ($321.7 million) invested overall.

"To attract more tourists and get them to stay, we have to improve services and facilities at the sites," explained Ji Bingxuan, provincial Party chief. "

Last year was just the beginning, but we've already done a lot. We chose these 12 because they represent the province's best - winter attractions, vast forests, a place where people can escape the summer heat and city life, and the large rivers and lakes on the border between China and Russia," Ji added.

One example of the development focus is Beijicun, the northernmost village in China, nicknamed "China's North Pole". Russia is just across the Heilong River.

Two of the village's major tourist attractions are the snow in winter and tours in summer. The sun here shines about 20 hours a day during summer.

Another tourist site in the north of the province, Wudalianchi, with a series of volcanic lakes with mineral springs, is regarded as a health resort and a scientific research site.

The local government plans to turn the region into a "volcano museum" by integrating entertainment with education.