Sichuan province is celebrating its post-earthquake success in rebuilding its economy by hosting the 2011 China Sichuan International Cultural Tourism Festival in Shuimo town in Wenchuan county.

The festival was organized by the National Tourism Administration and Sichuan People’s Government to celebrate completed reconstruction projects and also the construction of new infrastructure.

The festival, which began April 19, will be under way through May 15. During the festival, every city and prefecture in the province will host a total of nearly 70 supporting activities.

New tourism routes and facilities are being showcased at the festival to mark three years since the magnitude 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake struck the province.

Post-disaster reconstruction

Tourism in Sichuan province suffered following the deadly 2008 earthquake. The nine Ring Way roads considered key entry routes to Sichuan were been severely damaged.

During the past three years, those roads have been rebuilt, and Shuimo town, an import link on the Rink Way system has become a showcase. Shuimo is “the best example of post-disaster reconstruction in the world”, a provincial official said. The festival is focusing on how some areas were rebuilt, and how others benefited from new development.

Tourism showcased

The festival invited 600 people from around the world to the festival, including the heads of the World Tourism Organization, Pacific Asia Travel Association and World Travel & Tourism Council. Also attending tourism events are tourism operators and media representatives from 60 countries, including guests from Japan, the United States, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Britain, France, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Among 400 Chinese representatives are provincial and municipal government officials whose provinces and cities have supported the reconstruction of Sichuan, as well as directors of tourism bureaus from every province in China.

The representatives from China and abroad are visiting Wenchuan, Maoxian, Beichuan, and Mianzhu to inspect the redeveloped tourism centers and to participate in the opening ceremony of the Mianzhu Jiulong Tourists Reception Center. The center was built with the support of funds from global tourism community. On April 21, festival guests attended an international forum on post-disaster tourism recovery, reconstruction and development.

A tour of scenic routes

The festival is showcasing 60new and rebuilt tourism destinations. They include the Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou scenic spot, and the route from Qiujigawa village of Ruoergai county to Banyou village, which includes Ruoergai Flower Lake, Hongyuanwaqiet Forest, the Riganqiao Wetlands and Chuanzhu Temple.

Another tourism route involves travel from Chengdu to Sanguanmiao village, Wenchuan Miansi and Moutuo village of Maoxian-Pingtou. One route includes Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Hongkou and the Piaoliu-Shenxigou earthquake ruins. A jointly built peasant shelter at Dujiangyan-Daguanchaping village is part of another tourism route that also includes a visit to rebuilt Jiezi Ancient Town.

One scenic route encompasses the Chengdu-Pengzhou Xinxing town-Tongji Town-Bailu town, Longmenshan town-Cifeng town-Dujiangyan tour. Another includes Chengdu, Wangsi town, Xingchang Ancient Town, Anren Ancient Town, Huashuiwan Hotspring Town (rebuilt after earthquake), Xinling Snow Mountain (rebuilt after earthquake) and Heming Mountain Daoyuan Sacred City.

One route travels from Chengdu to Laoren village of Wenchuan Shuimo town, the 4A-rated Sanjiang scenic resort, Xuankou Jizhong village, Yongxiu Zhongtaobao village, Fengxiang village and Yuzixi Village.