The city's ongoing expansion of island tourism and the preservation of history along Southern Guangdong Old Post Roads fits in perfectly with national and provincial efforts to upgrade and integrate tourism resources, public services, systems, and policies to make tourism a backbone of China's economy.

This was made clear on July 28 when the Guangdong Provincial Implementation Plan to Promote All-for-One Tourism was released during a work meeting in Huizhou.

The plan accentuates coastal tourism belts incorporating ocean, island, and coastal resources -- matching the focus of the city's recent efforts. Zhuhai has been continually improving infrastructure, enriching tour options, and publicizing cultural products to create diversified leisure attractions.

Constructed wonders and natural scenery [Photo by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily]

On the same day that the implementation plan was published, the Guangdong Tourism Administration & Transportation Department designated a 28-km (17.4-mile) Zhuhai coastal road from Gongbei to Tangjiawan as one of the 10 most beautiful roads in the province.

The department emphasized "Red Tourism," a term used to describe visits to important sites from China's revolutionary period. For that reason, Qi'ao Old Post Road, running 22 km (14 miles) from Zhongshan's Shiqi to Macao, is among 10 roads to be prioritized. 

Zhuhai has restored 5.5 km (3.4 miles) of Changnanjing Old Path. Visitor numbers surpassed 70,000 during holiday periods after the restoration -- an increase of nearly 30 percent in the figure before the work was done. Now other paths around Fenghuang Mt will connect Tangjiawan historical and cultural towns, Lovers Avenue, and Zhuhai Opera House. Along the joined paths are a historical town and 19 cultural and natural scenic spots.

Work session on All-for-One tourism [Photo by Wu Dan / southcn.com]

Zhuhai continues to improve both the enjoyment and convenience of travel. The city has upgraded and built 186 lavatories, set up a tourism consultancy service center, begun sightseeing buses along Lovers Avenue, and opened Wifi in crowded areas over the past three years.

As suggested in the plan, Zhuhai promotes comprehensive smart tourism service using big data statistical analysis and supervision. Tourism information resources will be further integrated to enhance online websites and then shared for public security, transportation, meteorology, and communication.

More than 19.2 million tourists came to Zhuhai during the first half of the year, spending 19.8 billion yuan ($3.1 billion), up 24 and 34.2 percent year-on-year respectively.