Lijiang Reports Rapid Growth in Tourism

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 ◆ Lijiang Reports Rapid Growth in Tourism

Lijiang in northwest of southwestern China's Yunnan Province is expected to receive three million tourists this year. Lijiang, best known for its picturesque rivers and mountains, and unique ethnic customs, was visited by 2.8 million tourists in 1999, up from 840,000 in 1996. The earnings from its tourist service amounted to 1.5 billion yuan this year, compared to 300 million yuan five years ago. According to Yang Yong, the deputy director of the Lijiang Tourism Bureau, the city has introduced more than two billion yuan (about US$240 million) in investments since 1996 after being hit by a devastating earthquake. The city has 67 hotels designated by the National Tourism Administration, 35 travel agencies, and five bus companies. Some 30,000 people are employed by the tourism industry. It will invest more in infrastructure to create a better traffic, catering and accommodation conditions, while vigorously developing ecologic and cultural tourism.