This year, during the National Day holiday, Shuangpai County in Yongzhou, Hunan Province, launched a countryside tourism initiative aimed at reconnecting visitors with nature, promoting relaxation, and showcasing local customs. The initiative has attracted an influx of travelers from across the country.
Nestled in the tea tree town of Shuangpai County, Tongi’ao Village is celebrated for its rare ancient ginkgo grove, which features over 3,000 naturally grown ginkgo trees. This village has earned the nickname “China’s Ginkgo Village.” As autumn gives way to winter, the ginkgo leaves cascade down, creating a golden carpet on the ground. The majestic ancient trees blend harmoniously with traditional homes, producing a picturesque scene likened to a “village draped in golden armor.”
At the Tongi’ao scenic area, the centuries-old ginkgo trees are transitioning from green to a vibrant yellow, while fluffy pink muhly grass blossoms beautifully. “The atmosphere is incredible, and it’s a perfect spot for photos,” shared visitor Xia Yuanya.
Tongi’ao is also advancing in celebrating its revolutionary cultural heritage. A patriotic education base has been established, featuring a relief sculpture honoring the Red Sixth Army’s Long March and large memorial sculptures for the historic Battle of the Tiger’s Mouth, among other significant revolutionary sites. The area has organized over 500 events, including Party-building activities and educational trips for local schools, effectively creating a brand that fuses “He” culture, red culture, ginkgo culture, and agricultural culture.
During the National Day holiday, the Huaiqian Valley and Moon Lake scenic area in Shuangpai offered a series of engaging activities, including fishing competitions and duck-catching contests, as well as an interactive rainbow runway. Additionally, more visitors are setting up tents on Yuntai Mountain, located just a few kilometers from the county seat.
“The area is surrounded by mountains and valleys, with considerable temperature variations between day and night that lead to frequent cloud sea phenomena. This allure draws many camping enthusiasts eager to experience the romantic sunrise over the clouds,” noted the scenic area manager.
With its remarkable ecology, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Shuangpai County has become a unique tourist destination. In recent years, the county has steadily developed its tourism projects, improved management practices, actively built a tourism brand, and expanded its tourism industry chain, boosting tourism consumption and fostering the high-quality development of cultural and tourism integration.
Boasting a forest cover rate of 80.5%, Shuangpai ranks first in Hunan for per capita forested land and has a wetland protection rate of 94.36%, the highest in Yongzhou. The county has received numerous accolades, including “China’s Natural Oxygen Bar,” “Top Ten National Ecological Leisure and Tourism Cities,” and “China’s Most Beautiful Ecological Health Tour Destination.”
The local government is focused on enhancing its cultural tourism offerings by developing key attractions. The Yameishan Scenic Area is earmarked as the leading tourism site, while enhancements are planned for Tongi’ao, Huaiqian Valley, Qinglong Cave, and Yuntai Mountain. Supported by seven towns, these efforts aim to create provincial-level star-rated rural tourism areas, driving comprehensive regional tourism development.
Since launching the first China Yangming Mountain “He” Culture Tourism Festival and the Azalea Festival in 2006, Shuangpai has also harnessed its “He” cultural resources. This annual event has developed into a quest for the essence of “He,” inviting contributions from around the globe. As of November last year, the festival has held 14 successful editions and gathered over 7,000 contributions from public figures, attracting numerous enthusiasts of “He” culture and calligraphy eager to engage.
With initiatives strengthening its cultural and tourism framework, Shuangpai County is achieving a dual focus on tourism in both the eastern and central regions. The rapid growth of the cultural and tourism industry is weaving an intricate tapestry of experiences across Shuangpai.
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