Qianxinan sees mountain tourism scale new heights

People go rafting in a valley in Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture. [Photo by Ding Hongjun for chinadaily.com.cn] 

Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province has been boosting mountain tourism by leveraging its abundant mountain resources and vibrant ethnic culture. 

The prefecture, a typical representative of the cone-shaped karst geological landform, is blessed with a variety of karst landscapes that consist of valleys, caves, waterfalls, underground rivers and stone forests. 

It has developed mountain-themed outdoor activities like rock climbing, fishing, drifting, marathons, and car rallies, and improved mountain tourism facilities and services.

Villagers harvest rice fields in Wanfenglin in Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture. [Photo by Liu Zhaofu for chinadaily.com.cn]

Located between 24 and 26 degrees north latitude, Qianxinan combines a low-latitude with a moderate- to high-altitude climate, making it a perfect destination for health and wellness tours. 

There are 35 ethnic groups distributed within the prefecture, including the Bouyei, Miao, Hui, and Han ethnic groups. 

From January to August this year, Qianxinan received 29.71 million domestic tourist visits and generated tourism revenue of 28.14 billion yuan ($3.87 billion). 

On Sept 15 and 16, the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports 2023 will be held in the prefecture, aiming to promote the region as a world-class mountain tourism destination and a national top-tier vacation and wellness destination.