Chongqing Municipality plans to invest 2.6 billion yuan (US$416 million) to build a tourism site where China's so-called greatest love story took place.

Xu Chaoqing and her husband Liu Guojiang eloped to live in a cave in the mid 1950s to escape public scorn as people could not understand how Liu, 10 years younger than his wife, could have fallen in love with an older woman. Liu spent the next 50 years carving more than 6,000 steps along the mountain, which became known as the "Love Ladder."

Xu died on October 30, three years after her husband.

Xu's funeral was held recently with a 200-strong crowd paying their respects to the couple and their story. While some were locals, others had traveled from around the country after being touched by their love story, Xinhua news agency reported.

"My mom and dad can finally reunite in heaven. She always said that 'his death has taken everything away from me' and could hardly face life after his passing," said Liu Mingsheng, the couple's son.

With more people visiting the area, the local government has decided to boost the economy by establishing a tourism site, including building better roads to the mountain and renovating the couple's old home.

Some villagers said they welcomed the plan because it would bring greater transport convenience and it would open up opportunities to start small businesses such as restaurants and hostels, Chongqing Times reported yesterday.

However, some villagers said they were worried the plan would damage the environment, according to the report.

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