BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Jinshan District is getting a boost from Expo tourists who enjoy Fengjing ancient town, the Chinese Peasant Painting Village, the scenic countryside, City Beach and many other attractions in the laid-back outskirts of the city. Victoria Fei pays a visit.
Four Beijing grannies, average age 85, were so impressed by their personal tour of Jinshan's sites that they sent a letter of thanks to guide Zhong Xian who treated them "like family."
"She treated us like family valuables and took good care of us all the way," the four wrote of their visit in early June.
The ladies, who were visiting the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, strongly recommended picturesque Fengjing ancient town.
Jinshan on the city outskirts is benefiting in a big way from Expo tourism.
In May the district received around 600,000 tourists, an increase of 87.5 percent over the previous year. These included 20,000 Expo visitors from more than 130 tour groups.
The occupancy rate of major hotels in the district reached 72.5 percent in May and the booking rate for June was almost 88 percent.
Staff from JJ Farmstay, an Expo-designated hotel featuring rural fun, say it was fully booked in June and July. Most guests are Expo visitors from neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
Fengjing ancient town is a fascinating respite from the hectic Expo site, as is the nearby Chinese Peasant Painting Village. There folk artists demonstrate and sell their work, sometimes called "peasant Picassoes," now a successful commercial enterprise.
Around 300,000 tourists visited Fengjing in May, including 2,000 overseas visitors.
Langxia Ecological Park is a key Expo tourism project in Jinshan. Highlighting on folk culture and art, it features the Yao Family Fabric Mansion where hand-woven textiles, spinning and weaving tools are exhibited.
With an area of 110,000 square meters, it is a place to enjoy country cooking and experience countryside living.
By the end of May the park had received 52,000 visitors, including 1,100 from overseas.
City Beach is increasingly popular, and in May 230,000 visitors enjoyed the sea, sand and sunshine,
Donglin Temple received 14,000 visitors in May.
Whether for a one-day tour or an overnight stay, Jinshan attracts visitors with its mix of rural flavor and modern leisure.
(Source: Shanghai Daily)
Special Report: World Expo 2010
