Tibetan town to transform itself into intl tourism destination

 

Lulang Scenic Zone, Oct 21. [Photo by Ma Danning/chinadaily.com.cn]

A scenic spot at a picturesque Tibetan town, which is designed to become an international tourism destination, is expected to open to tourists in 2016.

Lulang Scenic Zone, located in Lulang town, Nyingchi prefecture of Tibet autonomous region, and near the 318 State Highway, covers a land area of 859,000 square meters with artificial lakes.

With a total investment of 2.5 billion yuan, the scenic zone contains rich natural scenery, including forest-clad mountains, flowers, lakes and beautiful landscapes, with snowy mountains seen in the far background.

Designed by the China Urban Design Research Center of Peking University, the scenic zone aims to allow visitors to appreciate the conveniences of a modern lifestyle while enjoying natural scenery. Based on this principle, business streets, a center of performing art, exhibition halls, art galleries and high-end accommodation, including three five-star hotels are among the construction projects in the zone.

The scenic zone is in the center of a nexus of tourism sites, including Mount Namjag Barwa, which lies across the border of Nyingchi and Bomi counties, and Yigong National Geological Park in Bomi county in neighboring Lulang.

Lulang town also provides sport and entertainment services including skiing, grass skating, golf, and hot springs.

To lure tourists into the scenic zone and to improve the whole welfare of the town, infrastructure including water treatment plants, waste processing plants, a primary school, hospitals, banks and telecom services are under construction, according to Sun Shihong, executive deputy chief of Nyingchi county said.

The scenic zone is easily accessible to tourists in that it is along the 318 State Highway and is 60 kilometers from an airport in Milin county.

Construction started in February last year. Major structures, including bridges and artificial lakes, and buildings, including tourism reception centers and hotels, are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

"It will take one year for the main structures and buildings to be renovated, according to schedule, and the zone is due to open in 2016," Sun said.