Hebei Launches Tour of Mulan Hunting Ground

Hebei Province near Beijing launched the Tour of Forest and Grassland at Return to Nature in Weichang County on July 1,1999. This tour program shows the unique landscape of forests and grasslands of the former imperial hunting ground, excellent ecological environment and Manchu and Mongolian folklore.

The Mulan Hunting Ground used to Open exclusively to the emperors. As part of the Outer Eight Temples Scenic Area of the Chengde Imperial Summer Resort, it covers 2,432 square kilometers.

The activity will end in Febuary 2000. Ten tourist activities include forest sightseeing, touring the grassland, sand sliding, rafting on the river and skiing.

"Silk Alley" to Move Indoors

The famous Xiushui Market, or "Silk Alley," in Beijing is now undergoing renovation, according the China Daily. To improve the city's environment, the Beijing Municipal Government decided earlier this year to have its outdoor markets move indoors.

However, the planned move of "Silk Alley" has raised concerns among vendors and others that the city might lose a poplar attraction.

The worries mainly come from their belief that prices at the new market will be higher because of renovation casts. However, the person in charge of the market's management said that it is expected to keep its competitiveness. It is planned that a five story building on the site of the present market will become the new Xiushui Market after its completion. The first two floors will be an open area.

The renovated Xiushui Market will include more commodities rich in traditional Chinese style, like silk and drawnwork.

Nadam Fair in Xinjiang

The Bortala Nadam Grassland Festival was held from July 16 to 20 at Sayram Lake.

The theme of the festival was '99 Ecotour and protection of the ecological environment. The activities of the festival included song-dance performances reflecting the folklore of various ethnic groups, ethnic sports competitions, exhibitions and sales of ethnic commodities, trade talks and soliciting investments.

Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture is located in northwestern Xinjiang, beyond which is Kazakhstan. The prefecture is inhabited by 35 ethnic groups, including Mongolian, Han, Uygur and Kazak. It was an important stopover on the northern route of the Old Silk Road.

With the construction of the New Eurasian Continental Bridge, Bortala has become one of the important gateways to Northwest China. More than 700 years ago, Mongolians living in the prefecture started the Nadam, and now this festival has become a much-loved tourism program combining cultural exchange and ethnic entertainment.

Primeval Forest Park, New Attraction in Xishuangbanna

In the luxurious forest are hidden unique Dai buildings. People to the Primeval Forest Park find it more enjoyable, seeing peacocks strutting about the lawns and listening to the chirps of the birds in the sky. With the completion of the park, people have made it possible to get along well with nature.

Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan Province had been eulogized as the "kingdom of animals and plants." There are well-kept stretches of primeval forest, many varieties of rare plants and animals, and a unique foldlore involving different ethnic groups.

Xishuangbanna Primeval Forest Park in the tropical rain forests, is only eight kilometers north of Jinghong, the prefectural seat of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. The park is also noted for a beautiful river more like a golden belt flowing in the forests. Its destinctive tour programs feature primeval forest, wild animals and local folklore.

The park covers 18.8square kilometers, and has more than 50 scenic spots in 11 scenic areas. As the best preserved rain forest north of the Tropic of Cancer, its forest coverage is over 98percent. Walking in the forest, visitors will discover rare plants everywhere in addition to the sight of lovely animals. They can also participate in the Water Splashing Festival, and watch the performance of the Aini ethnic group.

The park has a three-star hotel which combines food service with accommodation and entertainment. While the World Horticulture Expo'99 is on, there are 10 flights rom Kunming to Xishuangbanna every day. It takes only 40 minutes by air.

State Council Promulgates Provisions on Administrating Guides

The State Council promulgated the "Provisions on the Administration of Tourist Guides" on May 14, 1999.

The purpose of the decree signed by Premier Zhu Rongji is to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of tourists and tourist guides, and accelerate the healthy development of tourism by standardizing tourist guide behavior.

The provisions stipulate that tourist guides have to obtain a tourist guide ID card before they are allowed to do the job. While working, they must wear it on the breast.

Tourist guides are not allowed to change the schedule, add or cut tour activities, or suspend the tour at will, but must strictly follow the demands of travel agencies to fulfill their task.

Tourist guides are neither allowed to peddle goods to tourists, nor to buy anything from them. None is allowed to solicit tips from tourists. Tourist guides are definitely not allowed to cheat their customers, and force them to consume anything with the collaboration of business operators.

The statute contains stipulations on tourist guide's qualification, professional morality, and punishment for those who violate the rules. The statute will be put into effect on October 1, 1999.

Top Tourist Spots of Yunnan Selected

Recently, the first group of top tourist areas have been selected and named by the Yunnan provincial government.

The top 11 are: Stone Forest Scenic Area, Yunnan Ethnic Culture Village, Lijiang Yulong Snow Mountain Scenic Area, Dali Chongsheng Temple Tri-Pagoda Park, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Luxi Alu Ancient Cave, Kunming Golden Palace Park, Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant valley Forest Park, Qiubei Puzhehei Scenic Area, Luoping Nine Dragon Waterfall Scenic Area and World Horticulture Expo Park.