Chenggu, Shaanxi province, a county renowned for its oranges, will be hosting the 2009 Orange Culture and Tourism Festival between September 30 and October 8.

Over 20 million yuan has been invested in the construction of Chenggu as the "Hometown of Zhang Qian [a famous diplomat from the Han Dynasty], the County of Oranges". This year saw another 6-million-yuan project launched there to build some cultural spots, including Huixian Pavilion (or the pavilion to meet the immortals), Shengxian Stand (the stand to become immortals), as well as relief sculptures.

With most of the tourist spots put into use, the government hopes to attract more visitors with the newly-built entertainment facilities.

The Festival, themed "Enjoy Your Trip to the Hometown of Zhang Qian, Cherish Your Experience in the County of Oranges", will provide a stage for a variety of artists from different fields, including calligraphers, photographers and amateur singers. Visitors can also take part in activities like rock climbing competitions and local specialty fairs.

Ten thousand tickets for the scenic spots in Chenggu were given away free for Xi'an citizens on September 21.

(China Daily September 25, 2009)