A new batch of provincial cultural and tourism consumption pilot areas including five cities, Wenzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Quzhou, and 18 counties (cities and districts) including Yuhang district in Hangzhou and Yinzhou district in Ningbo, were recently announced by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.

The provincial cultural and tourism consumption pilot cities are tasked with cultivating a few cultural and tourism consumption cluster areas, demonstration projects and products as well as brands with high popularity and good reputations to improve the comprehensive strength of Zhejiang's culture and tourism industry.

The pilot period will last for two years, after which cities with outstanding achievements can apply for national pilot city status and designation as night national cluster areas, enjoying priority for relevant platform identification and project application.

Wenzhou

Wenzhou will focus on exploring the new supply and driving force of cultural and tourism consumption, including the construction of whole-area tourism and high-end projects. It will focus on large gardens and promotion of comprehensive consumption cluster areas, as well as the vacation and leisure economy.

Jiaxing

Jiaxing will take the pilot project as an opportunity to cultivate cluster areas, demonstration projects, products and brands to promote in-depth integration of culture and tourism in various fields and multiple directions leading to a whole industrial chain.

Huzhou

In 2020, 197 cultural and tourism projects will be carried out with a total investment of 142.34 billion yuan ($20.33 billion) and an annual planned investment of 15.58 billion yuan. The municipal government has issued consumption coupons and implemented online promotion and policies of scenic spots and accommodation reductions to boost the market.

Shaoxing

As one of the first designated famous historical and cultural cities in China, Shaoxing is known as the town of water, bridge, liquor, calligraphy, opera and celebrities. It will strive to promote a large rise in the consumption of cultural tourism at night and focus on construction of a "Shaoxing cultural and creative corridor" and cultural belt projects.

Quzhou

Quzhou launched the free travel activity in 2017 and upgraded it in 2020, enabling 15 core scenic spots, such as Jianglang Mountain and Longyou Grottoes, to open at no charge except on national legal holidays and weekends. In the past four years, Quzhou has received 12.07 million tourists, generating 3.15 billion yuan in direct consumption and 13.53 billion yuan in comprehensive income.

For more information about Quzhou: http://quzhou.chinadaily.com.cn/2020-07/24/c_524170.htm 

A child bows in front of a statue of Confucius in Quzhou, which is home to his descendants. [Photo/qz96811.com]

Putuo district in Zhoushan: http://zhoushan.chinadaily.com.cn/2020-07/17/c_516056.htm