Excellent management has turned Yuntai Mountain in Central China's Henan Province from an unknown scenic spot into a world-famous geopark, greatly promoting local economic development.

 

Located in Xiuwu County in Jiaozuo, to the north of the Yellow River traversing the province, Yuntai Mountain was a lonely ordinary scenic spot five years ago.

 

In 2001, the mountain received only 200,000 visitors, with a ticket income of 4 million yuan (US$500,000) with most tourists from within the province.

 

Today, the mountain has become a famous tourist attraction both in China and the world.

 

In 2005, over 1.7 million tourists visited the mountain, bringing in ticket income of 103 million yuan (US$13 million).

 

Visitors come from all over of the country, with 90 percent from outside Henan Province.

 

The number of overseas tourists, especially from Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US and the European Union, increased substantially.

 

In the first 10 months of this year, the number of tourists to the mountain reached 1.99 million, a year-on-year increase of 31.7 percent. The number of overseas tourists has leapt by a staggering 182 percent.

 

Ticket income has also increased by 31.3 percent from the same period last year, reaching 130 million yuan (US$16.25 million).

 

The development of the scenic spot has greatly promoted the development of the local economy. By the end of 2005, Xiuwu County had 331 hotels and restaurants, 9.2 times more than in 2000.

 

Tourism has become an important pillar industry for the county. In 2005, the county had a tourism income of 540 million yuan (US$67.5 million), contributing 12 percent of its GDP.

 

The rapid development of tourism has created many job opportunities for local people.

 

In 2005, employees in the county's service industry accounted for 70 percent of the county's urban employee population.

 

Anshang Village near the scenic spot was a poverty-stricken village in the province in 2000. In recent years, many of the villagers have become wealthy by engaging in the tourism industry.

 

Last year, the village's average annual per capita income reached 50,000 yuan (US$6,250), staggering for a rural locality.

 

The village is now a famous rich village in the province, with many families in the village owning a private car and a family hotel.

 

"The success of Yuntai Mountain is a result of innovative ideas, good management and service," said a tourism expert.

 

In February 2004, Yuntai Mountain National Geopark was evaluated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and became a member of the first group of world geoparks.

 

In addition to these titles, the mountain has also received honors of National AAAA Scenic Spot, National Forest Park, National Water Conservancy Scenic Spot and National Nature Reserve of Rhesus Monkeys.

 

Yuntai Mountain is now promoting new efforts to become a member of the nation's first group of AAAAA Scenic Spots.

 

(China Daily November 24, 2006)