With the development of its Science Park, Zhongguancun is no longer just a place name but a Beijing tourist attraction, according to the Beijing Tourism Bureau and the People‘s Government of Haidian District as Beijing Review reported.

In late May, a program for Scientific Tourism Month was held with the theme“let the world know Zhongguancun, and let Zhongguancun know the world.” It devoted itself to promoting science, training scientific talent and spreading healthy and scientific forms of leisure through sightseeing. In this way, visitors were attracted to Zhongguancun and tourism served as both a window and bridge for the development of the Zhongguancun Science Park.

According to statistics, the scientific tourism program provided 20 attractions and 10 tourism routes, received 2.5 million visitors, and earned 120 million yuan in May 2000. The program not only was profitable but also had a good social influence. This year, it will add nine more attractions, including the China Millennium Monument and the Military Museum in Xicheng District, the Beijing Observatory in Chongwen District and the Fuguo Ocean Museum, in Chaoyang District.

(Xinhua 07/03/2001)