Journeys toward prosperity

An ethnic Bouyei woman and a foreigner participate in the bamboo dance in Zhenfeng county in Guizhou's Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture. [Photo/China Daily and Xinhua]

Qianxinan is a hidden gem in southwestern Guizhou. It's home to 36 ethnic groups and rich biodiversity. Experts say Xingyi's natural offerings endow it with the potential to become a world-class destination like Queenstown in New Zealand and Champery in Switzerland.

"In tourism, being less-developed and inaccessible often increases a land's value. And mountains are the most valuable destinations," says Wang Zhigang, a strategy consultant for Qianxinan.

The prefecture is building facilities for downhill skiing, bungee jumping, rock climbing, rafting, hot-air ballooning and skydiving to accommodate growing demand from around the globe.

Local authorities have pledged to upgrade transportation and enhance accommodation capacity while protecting the environment in the coming years.

Contact the writers through yangfan@chinadaily.com.cn