People gather to watch performance during the Dawuliang Singing Festival, also the Culture Festival of the Dong Ethnic Group, in Yatunbao Township of the Tongdao Dong Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, April 17, 2013. Many people from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Guizhou Province specially came to the festival so as to make friends with their voices and participated in traditional activities like catching fish and performing Lusheng dance. The festival was listed as the intangible cultural heritage of the Hunan Province in 2006.Source:Xinhua

News 2013-04-19 17:36 View：1865

On April 19th , the annual meeting for the 3th China Independent Innovation is held in Great Hall. Changsha, Shenzhen ,Chongqing and other cities are conferred China’s top ten innovative city. It is the second time that Changsha is again entitled this honor after 2011. Deputy mayor Xia jian ping, on the behalf of Changsha, is to accept this prize in Beijing.In order to accelerate the construction of innovation-oriented country and open a new journey towards a scientifically and technologically strong nation, the Economic Daily, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University jointly bring out the assessment of China’s top ten innovative city. The evaluation index system is composed of four secondary indicators like technological development,self-independent innovation, transformation in development mode and industry innovation, and ten tertiary indicators and fifty-five level 4 indicators. Among the 283 participating cities from the whole country, Changsha outstands itself again with the title of the 2012 China’s top ten innovative city, ranking five on the list.Translated by Crystal

News 2013-04-18 18:14 View：4060

Many tourists may think that Zhangjiajie is only famous for its high and steep cliffs and mountains, but if you come to Yuan Jujie scenic spot, you will be fascinated by its beautiful scenery and indulge yourself in it.Yuanjiajie scenic spot, situated on the top of a cliff, is named “The air field”. When it comes to spring, among the cascading scattered terraces, many have been plowed and are poured with water for spring sowing and others are drylands on which bright and yellow rape flowers are scattered.Around the terraces, flourishing trees and green hills are surrounding.What a idyllic scenery it is. Your eyes are feasted on such a combination of color,light and fragrance.Yuanjiajie scenic spot–“The air filed”, with nearly 500 original residents,is located in the core scenic area of Wulingyuan. In the past, it was neglected for most residents took pains to start the initial development for tourism.Now, in order to achieve the sustainable development for the scenic area and protect its original ecological pastoral style, the local residents activate the recovery project for “the air field” scenery. Therefore,these beautiful pictures are unfolding before us, capturing tourists’eyes.“The air field” is bestowed with delightful climate and enjoys convenient transportation.Tourists can arrive on nonstop by eco-cars.By Crystal

News 2013-04-18 18:09 View：1704

According to the Youth Science And Technology Education Association in Wulingyuan area, the First Youth Science And Technology Competition of Wulingyuan is going to be held in June.The competition,with the theme “innovation,experience and grown up” falls into two activity groups:teenagers and instructor for science and technology.The former consists of games and exhibitions, including hand-made works,little innovation and creation, computer-made painting works and so on. The latter includes excellent scientific and technological invention projects,outstanding educational programs for science and technology.Different awards are set up for this activity, such as hand-made prize for terrific student, science fiction painting prize for outstanding youth and children,the best scientific and technological practice prize for youth and the best organization prize.The final assessment results will be officially released on the education website of Wulingyuan area.It is reported that the deadline of the activity is before June 1. Now, schools in different blocks are vigorously joining in this activity.Translated by Crystal

News 2013-04-17 18:15 View：939

On 15th, April,2013, The first flight of A320 of China Southern Airlines with 106 passengers from Taipei landed at the Lotus airport in Zhangjiajie, marking the official initiation of direct route from Zhangjiajie to Taipei.Zhangjiajie Lotus Airport is the eighth one that has direct route to Taipei in mainland. This ZHANGJIAJIE-TAIPEI route of type A320 or A321 opens on Monday, Tuesday and Friday in Flight No: CZ3025/3026. it takes off at 11:35am from Taipei and arrives in Zhangjiajie at 14:40pm, the full price for a economy class is 3360RMB.And the flight launches from Zhangjiajie at 15:30pm and reaches Taipei at 18:30pm and the economy class seats would cost 3500RMB. The full price for a round trip is 5300RMB. From June, another three ZHANGJIAJIE-TAIPEI airline will be added on Monday, Thursday and Sunday. The number of flights will be total 6 times.By Brenda

News 2013-04-17 17:58 View：800

Zhangjiajie,a popular tourist city in Central China is offering free entry to scenic areas for students under the age of 19, Xiaoxiang Morning Post reported on Tuesday.Cheng Danfeng, vice-mayor of Zhangjiajie in Hunan province, said the policy has been drafted and, once introduced, elementary and middle school students who present their IDs, such as student cards or passports, can visit the tourist spots in the city without paying the entry fee.According to Zhou Zemeng, deputy director of Zhangjiajie's tourism administration, the policy will be carried out mainly in the city's two AAAAA scenic areas: Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Tianmushan National Forest Park.Under the policy, student tourists can save up to 180 yuan at the two sites.The announcement comes just weeks after another an ancient town in the province, Fenghuang, sparked outrage by introducing an admission charge.Source:China Daily

News 2013-04-17 17:34 View：997

Visiting ZJJ National Forest Park on April, you will be fascinated by bright sunshine, singing birds and fragrant blossoms. Placing yourself in such a sea of flowers where cherry blossoms, magnolias and azaleas run to open will definitely be a feast of eyesight. According to statistics, since the Tomb-Sweeping Day, daily accepted tourists have toped over 10 thousand in appreciation for spring view in ZJJ National Forest Park.Mr. Hu,a Peking tourist smiled and said:” how beautiful the scenery here is. Air is also very refreshing with absolutely no PM 2.5. I will definitely call up my friends to experience a ‘journey of breath’ when I’m back. ”ZJJ National Forest Park is noted for “three thousand miraculous mounts and eight hundred pretty streams” and also for “expanded bonsai and condensed fairy land”. Benefited by its 98% forest coverage, the national forest park is really a huge treasury-house of living beings and oxygen bar, thus be called “the museum of nature and natural botanic garden”. In a word, the ZJJ National Forest Park could be a wonderful resort for your holiday and leisure.By Patricia

News 2013-04-16 12:04 View：1830

The introduction of an entry fee for an ancient scenic town in Hunan province has led to a sharp decline in tourists, and Chinese Internet users say the policy discourages visitors.The ancient town of Fenghuang county, Hunan province. Saturday was the first weekend day admission was charged to enter the town. [Photo/ Xinhua]"We have begun to witness the impact of the new policy," a female employee at March Inn in Fenghuang county, which is well known for its historical and scenic attractions, said on Sunday. She declined to give her name."All the rooms in my hostel were usually booked up during weekends in the past, but this weekend we have seen a sharp drop in guests and reservation. There are far fewer tourists on the streets than before."According to an online poll by Sina, one of China's most popular news websites, nearly 93 percent of respondents said they will not go to Fenghuang because of the charge. The poll had drawn nearly 90,000 participants by late Sunday.Six percent said they do not care about the policy since they are not interested in visiting Fenghuang.Only 1 percent said they will go to the ancient town regardless of the cost.Tourism is Fenghuang'a main industry. According to the county government, Fenghuang received around 2.3 million travelers and earned 5.3 billion yuan ($856 million) in tourism revenue last year. The industry provided more than 20,000 jobs, and about 60,000 people make a living by serving tourists.To "regulate the tourism market", the county issued a ticket policy on Wednesday that stipulates tourists must pay an entrance fee of 148 yuan to visit the old town of Fenghuang, which includes admission to 10 scenic areas.Entry to the town used to be free but tourists had to buy tickets for each scenic spot they visited.The measure has sparked a backlash from businesses and tourists."The policy's results are not very clear since it just took effect, but I think it will have a substantial impact on us in the long run," said the owner of Bianke Cafe, who only gave his surname Cai."As far as I know, some hostels have begun to receive calls from people wanting to cancel their reservation. The number of customers to my cafe has also been declining over the weekend compared with the past."Concerned business owners staged a protest on Thursday, blocking access to tourist sites and requesting authorities adjust the charge policy.The crowd was later dispersed by law enforcement officers, and four people involved in a physical conflict with officers were taken away by police, Cai Long, deputy head of the county government, said on Saturday.He said the policy was introduced to regulate the tourism market and will help to protect the old town and benefit business in the long run.Meanwhile, Zhao Haifeng, executive deputy head of Fenghuang county, said the government is aware of the policy's effect on small businesses and will take measures to assist them."It is inevitable that hostels will receive less independent tourists than before, and reforms will definitely produce some pains," he said. "During this process, the government is going to help those affected overcome difficulties."However, business owners remain skeptical toward the policy and its possible consequences."The government never contacted or negotiated with us before the policy was made, and we have not seen any concrete efforts by the government to help us," the employee at March Inn said."Authorities claim that one of the measure's intentions is to address 'illegal businesses and irregular operations' in the tourism market, and I am OK with that. But I think the ultimate solution to those problems is to help people get better jobs rather than taking their bread."Source: china.org.cn

News 2013-04-15 11:56 View：1256