Red tourism gets a boost

The National Tourism Administration reports that the number of red tourism spots now expected to receive more than 100,000 people a year, increased to 118 in 2016, from 82 in 2013.

Many areas across the country are now tapping into their red tourism heritage to draw in visitors.

In Cangxi county in the north of Sichuan province, red tourism has been integrated with other elements to attract more than 2 million visits by travelers annually.

The county, covering an area of 2,330 square kilometers, witnessed more than 100 battles between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintung, or KMT, over 1933-1935, which gave rise to more than 30 sites there.

A revolutionary martyrs monument, a former shipyard and the Red Army command headquarters are among the highlights in Cangxi.

To date, the county has developed a number of scenic spots, forest parks and natural reserves to draw visitors.

Also, more than 120 farmhouses and 30 rural hotels have been established.

Red tourism is expected to see continuous momentum, as road systems have been planned to connect all such spots, says a plan of the Ministry of Transport.

Infrastructure at the destinations will also be improved across the board, and more protection will be given to historical sites and memorials, says a plan of the National Development and Reform Commission.