Laojieling named 'vacation observation point'

Laojieling in Xixia county was awarded as the first China Intermountain Summer Vacation Observation Point by China Tourism Academy and Public Meteorological Service Center of China Meteorological Administration on Aug 11.

As an observation point, Laojieling will monitor the environment, visitor numbers and changes in the landscape to better inform tourism policy throughout the region.

Laojieling is a national nature reserve lying at the center of Funiu Mountain World Geopark. More than 98 percent of the area is covered in greenery, and its cool average summer temperature of 19 C proves popular with visitors wanting to escape the heat of the big cities.

Laojieling in Xixia county, Nanyang

With the support of Xixia county, local tourism has grown rapidly, helping to boost the economy in surrounding areas. The reserve can cater for as many as 10,000 people a day and in recent years has welcomed more than 800,000 visitors annually.

According to Zhang Zhiyong, director of Xixia Tourism Administration, Xixia attracts large numbers of tourists from surrounding cities to escape the heat each summer. The hotel occupancy rate can reach 100 percent in peak periods.

The county will endeavor to turn itself into a national holiday resort and provide premium travel experience for tourists, said Zhang.