¡¡

1. Project Summary and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project seeks to guarantee sustainable utilisation of Chengde's outstanding natural environment and high-quality tourist resources through the construction of eco-tourist zone and the development of new eco-tourist products in a systematic way. The project plans to adjust the industry structure of the city, accelerate the eradication of poverty, enhance the awareness of local people on the importance of environmental protection and to transform Chengde into a model for eco-tourism development.

This project is based on programme areas 7C and 8A of China's Agenda 21, and is related to programme areas 7B, 14E, 14H, 15A, 16A and 20C.

2. Background

Chengde, a city of Hebei province, is located in the centre of the Bohai Sea Rim Economic Region, with eight counties and three districts under its jurisdiction, among which six are classified as impoverished area that requires government aid. The city has an area of 39,500 km2 with a population of 3.43 million. It is a diverse city, with about twenty-five different ethnic minority groups including Man, Mongolian, Muslim, etc. The area has the largest concentrated area of the Man, numbering 1.15 million.

Chengde lies at the edge of the Mongolia highland and is surrounded by populated cities such as Beijing, Tianjing and Shenyang. It is the ecological screen for North China Plain and the western corridor of Liaoning. It has enormous potential for tourism with its excellent geographical location and rich historical and natural resources.

Chengde is one of the first cities designated in 1982 by the state as historical and cultural site. The Summer Resort, or Bishushanzhuang and the 12 surrounding temples in the city were placed on the World Culture Heritage List by UNESCO in 1994. It is the largest ancient imperial park extant in China with 72 Scenic Spots designated by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. In 1984 and 1986, Chengde was approved by the government as one of the National Scenic Attractions and one of China's Ten Major Scenic Spots. In 1988 Wuling Mountain was approved as a state-level natural protection zone.

Another historical site Mulanweichang, with a total land area of more than 10,000 km2, has 72 imperial hunting sites. Over a period of 300 years the Qing Emperors hunted there 105 times during autumn. Ten thousands hectares of forest have been planted in the hunting area since 1962. As a result, Mulanweichang together with Qinchuifeng forest was approved as the National Mulan and Qinchuifeng Forestry Park. In addition, it contains ten thousands hectares of grasslands, and as a result is the largest natural pasture near Tianjin and Beijing.

Chengde is in the location of the Great Wall built by the Qin, Han, Beiqi, Beizhou and Ming Dynasties. The Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty is the most famous, which incorporated the essence of ancient China's Great Wall construction and layout.

There are abundant of herbs, mushrooms, flowers and wild fruits in the area, which are superior green food. The climate and geographical location of Chengde are suitable for skiing. The construction of a national ski resort can extend the tourist season of Chengde.

The tourist industry in Chengde need visionary planning. Tourism resources are not effectively protected and are not yet fully exploited. The industry is facing difficulties: cultural relics and historical buildings have been seriously damaged; scenic sites have been polluted; tourism infrastructure lags behind development; travel routes are underdeveloped; souvenirs are not attractive; the tourism season is too short. As a result, tourism accounted only for 6% of total GDP for Chengde in 1995.

This project is in accord with the National Ninth Five-Years Plan and Long-term Targets of the Year 2010, both of which stressed the efficient use of tourist resources and accelerated development of tourism. The Chengde Peopleís Municipal Government will work toward these goals by sustainable developing eco-tourism as the leading and foundation industry of the city.

In recent years, the municipal government has restructured tourism management agencies at the city and county level. It has invited foreign experts to the city for consultation. the city Tourism Agency has formulated the Chengde Tourism Development Plan. The Chengde Forestry Department, with related departments of the central government and provincial government has conducted a feasibility study of the establishment of Sehanba and Qinchuifeng National Forestry Park. Moreover, Chengdeís tourism infrastructure is catching up with development: scenic areas of Bangchuifeng, the Summer Resort and its surrounding temples have been established; the freeway from Beijing to Chengde has been built; and ten high-standard hotels have been constructed. The tourism industry now employs 50,000 person with 5,000 are at management and technical level.

3. Objectives

3.1 Long-term Objective

The project seeks to establish sustainable development mechanism in tourism and to improve the environment of scenic area. The project also aims to conserve resources while scientifically developing a series of eco-tourism projects and products that will attract tourists and bring about comprehensive benefits. The project plans to transform the tourism industry in Chengde into the cityís foundation industry, thus eradicating poverty and increasing employment.

3.2 Immediate Objectives

• To evaluate the total volume, type, category, quality, structure and function of Chengdeís eco-tourism systematically. The results will determine the focus and key steps for conservation and development. The study will assess the national status of eco-tourism as well, so that resources can be preserved and used efficiently. The project will promote optimal exploitation of the ecological environment and enhance the management of eco-tourism;
• To build special eco-tourism scenic area and develop new comprehensive travel program, and overcome the problems of unattractive tourist product, short tourist season and low overall efficiency. These efforts will promote the establishment of a sustainable eco-tourism model, and attract tourists from all over the world by developing high-quality eco-tourism facilities;
• To train qualified tourism personnel and to develop the industries the related to tourism. These plans will promote rapid, high efficient and healthy development of the regional economy and harmonious development of material resources and cultural values.

4. Outputs and Activities

4.1 Capacity building for eco-tourism

• To carry out a survey on eco-tourism resources and to set up an evaluation system. The result will be used to formulate the programme of Chengdeís tourism development. The government will invite foreign and domestic experts for technical consultation and set up a think-tank system for eco-tourism.
• To raise tourists' awareness of environmental protection through video programs and bulletin boards in scenic areas. The programs will help tourists to understand and participate in sustainable development of tourism.
• To establish an international conservation foundation for the Summer Resort and its surrounding Temples.
• To improve the facilities of Chengde Tourism Training centre. The facility will enhance the training of operational and management personnel in tourism. The training program also aims to encourage participation of women and minorities in the development.

Monitoring Indicators: a reports and the diagrams of Chengde Sustainable Tourism Overall Plan, five sets of video programs, 80 bulletin boards, invite 50-60 visits of foreign experts, and to train 1000 backbone personnel.

Implementing Agencies: National Tourism Administration, Chinese Academy of sciences, Chengde Municipal People's Government.

Time Schedule: January 1997 - December 2000

4.2 Renovation of Chengde Imperial Park and Temples

• To formulate a conservation scheme and measures for the imperial park and temples;
• To keep intact the natural characteristics of relics and ancient buildings, renovate and rebuild Puyou temple and Yizhaozhai, the Wenyuan stone lions and Jiede Hall of the Summer Resort;
• To carry out the third phase construction of the Chengde Thermal Electricity Plant. The expansion will centralise the heat supply of the city and reduce air pollution in scenic areas;
• To protect old trees, plant high-quality trees and realise the project of greening the scenic areas.

Monitoring Indicators: a conservation scheme for the imperial park and temples, restoration of 20 hectares of vegetation, protection of 1000 ancient trees, planting 700 hectares of forest, and improvement of air quality of the scenic area to the national first grade standard.

Implementing Agencies: National Tourism Administration, National Cultural Relics Administration, National Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Electric Power, Chengde Municipal Government.

Time Schedule: January 1997 - December 2000

4.3 Establishment of the Mulanweichang forestry and grasslands eco-tourist area

• To establish forestry and prairie vacation sites that focus on the minorities' cultures with international standards. In addition, a cross-country ski village will be built. Within these new resorts, new tourists' programs will be developed including forestry bathing, flower and mushroom picking, hiking, horse riding, fishing, camping and hunting; to develop multi-functional forest and prairie eco-tourism with mass participation and tourism for experiencing Man and Mongolian minority customs;
• To establish fenced forestry and prairie reserves, wild animals reserve and endangered species protection areas;
• To develop the imperial inspection and hunting program. The project seeks to reproduce the Mulan fall-hunting grand ceremony when the Qing Emperor hosted a banquet in honour of his ministers and the heads of minorities;
• To enlarge and renovate the airport. The airport will serve as a base for forest and prairie fire fighting, spreading pesticides, sowing areas and new air routes for tourists.

Monitoring Indicators: establishment of 3 fenced reserves with an area of 30 km2; hotels and resorts that host 3000 tourists, with 40% of them in Mongolian tents; 1 ski village; 2-3 fishing points and 1 hunting ground.

Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Forestry, National Tourism Administration,and Chengde Municipal Government.

Time Schedule: January 1997 - December 2000

4.4 Establishment of eco-tourist area in Misty mountain (Wulingshan) and the protection of the Jinshanling Great Wall

• To establish an ecosystem monitoring station and to build a natural history museum for displaying the samples of wild animals and plants in Wulingshan. The museum will increase the tourists' awareness of environmental protection;
• To establish the tourist area of Hongmei temple, Golden Cow Cave and three dimensional ecological travel routes. The travel routes will include hiking through forest, camping, sightseeing of waterfall, rare plants and birds, and climbing the first mountain east of Beijing to have a birds-eye view of natural beauty;
• To set up an exploration tourism program for the Jinshanlin Great Wall. The project will increase protection facilities and train tourist guides at the Jinshanlin Great Wall. In addition, the project will develop the Great Wall Exploration Tour at places like Wanjing Mansion, Xianlu Mansion, Taochun Mansion, Wudin Mansion and Jiyubei;
• To build the Great Wall hot spring resort, build cottages in the rural area of the north of the Great Wall.

Monitoring Indicators: 400 wild animal and plant samples, 10 km hiking paths, countryside cottages with 300 rooms.

Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Forestry, National Cultural Relics Administration, and Chengde Municipal Government.

Time Schedule: January 1997 - December 2000

4.5 Development of sightseeing eco-agriculture and unique local tourism products

• To develop eco-agriculture with local culture and sightseeing potential, such as planting flowers, vegetables and fruits;
• To increase the production of almond juice and develop other new products, gradually bringing them to the market; take advantages of rich wild biological species in mountainous regions to develop series of wild herbs and health drinks, and Chinese chestnut green foods;
• To make use of Chengdeís excellent cultural tradition and skill of the imperial tradition, to develop silk products including silk handkerchief, veil, cushion and tapestry;
• To develop souvenirs and handicrafts including paper-cuts, cloth pictures, inscription boards of the Summer Resort, historical building models and duplicates of religious art.

Monitoring Indicators: increase the production of almond juice by 15 thousand tons, Chinese chestnut green foods by 10 thousand tons; to develop 30 types of souvenir, produce 1,000,000 m2 of silk products, and establish sightseeing eco-agriculture base.

Implementing agency: Chengde Municipal Government

Time Schedule: January 1997 - December 2000

4.6 Further improvement of infrastructure and development of Golden-Round-Tour line for Beijing-Chengde-Qinhuangdao-Tianjin-Beijing

• To build a second grade highway from Chengde to Qinhuangdao. This will form a route for the Beijing-Chengde-Qinhuangdao-Tianjin-Beijing touring. Furthermore, the project seeks to develop holiday train service from Beijing, Tianjin and Shenyang to Chengde;
• To improve and build roads from Weichang to Fenglin, and from Chengde to Xinglong to Misty Mountain.
• To plant trees along the Chengde-Fenglin, Weichang-Bashang and Beijing-Chengde highways;
• To renovate and rebuild some of the imperial resting palaces on the tour line from Beijing to Chengde to Weichang to Bashang. These would become tourist attractions because they were the resting sites for the imperial family and would serve as rest stations for tourists.

Monitoring Indicators: the roads between scenic areas will be increased to the third grade, the main roads to the second grade, greening project for these roads to national standard; rebuild 3-4 imperial resting palaces.

Implementing Agencies: National Tourism Administration, the Palace Museum, Beijing Railways Department, Chengde Municipal government.

Time Schedule: January 1997 - December 2000

5. Inputs

5.1 Chinese Inputs

Chinese inputs will primarily be used for project management, transportation and office expenses for experts and other staff in China, the necessary facilities for scenic area building, training centre, engineering expenses for increasing outputs of plants, etc..

5.2 International Inputs

International inputs will primarily be used for renovation and conservation of natural and historical remains, construction of infrastructure such as highway for tourism. They will be used to purchase various instruments, apparatus and equipment for development of tourist commodities and research and training. It will also be responsible for costs of foreign experts and the expenses of Chinese experts and staff abroad.

5.3 Budget

The total capital needed for this project is US$ 69.90 million. The Chinese participants will raise US$ 30.50 million from domestic source, while foreign aid and investment will cover the other US$ 39.40 million.

Table 1. Budget by Item (in million US dollars)

Table 2. Budget by Output (in million US dollars)

6. Benefits

After implementing this project, Chengde can accommodate 5 million tourists by the year 2,000; if spending in Chengde is 100 US dollars per person, the total income will be 500 million US dollars. This will result in creating 200 thousand employment opportunities. Therefore, tourism will play a major role in freeing 600,000 people from poverty in Chengde. The project will not only bring a high rate of return for investors but also provide considerable benefits for the whole society. It will become a model for other tourism resorts.

7. Risks

The success of the project depends on the awareness of management personnel, sustainable development of tourism and promulgation necessary policies and regulations. The low educational level of the minorities might delay the project. Fund shortage and infrastructure construction may also constrain the development of the tourism industry.

Text Browser Utilities: |Back| |ACCA21 Home|