PR92522

ZAOZHUANG, China, Oct. 22, 2021 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/--

At a recent news conference held by the Information Office of Zaozhuang

Municipal People's Government, it was disclosed that 5.823 million tourists

visited Zaozhuang in the first half of this year, generating RMB 4.4 billion in

tourism revenue. Over recent years, Zaozhuang has spear-headed all-for-one

tourism by enthusiastically promoting rural tourism, and has thrown its support

behind a new business model integrating culture and tourism. These strategies

have achieved remarkable results.

Lizhuang, also in Fengmao, is a resettlement village for people from reservoir

areas. In the past, the villagers here have lived off farming and fishing. With

the revitalization of rural areas, a professional tourism cooperative has been

established in Lizhuang, and a folk courtyard cluster area demonstrating local

culture has begun to take shape: The stone mill enables visitors to sample and

buy various tofu dishes; at the oil mill visitors can experience the process of

squeezing plump peanuts into pure peanut oil; the hot pepper yard processes hot

red peppers into various pickles, which have become top-selling tourist

products; the stir-fried Lizhuang spicy chicken leaves a lasting aftertaste;

the calabash yard invites visitors to drink tea, listen to drum music and watch

plays performed by villagers. A series of themed settings have really livened

up every yard, and today, Lizhuang has become a well-known model village for

rural tourism.

Yicheng District in Zaozhuang is the famous Hometown of Chinese Pomegranates

with the largest collection of pomegranate germplasm resources in China. The

Guanshi Pomegranate Garden here is widely reputed. In recent years, Yicheng

District has focused intently on the development of the pomegranate bonsai

industry and other pomegranate products, pomegranate culture and local

traditional advantages. There are now more than 200 pomegranate bonsai

enterprises in the district, employing more than 4,000 people. The annual sales

volume of pomegranate bonsais is around 500,000 units, with a turnover of RMB

500 to 800 million. Yicheng District has also seen the development of more than

20 pomegranate by-product business opportunities, namely juice, wine, tea, oral

solutions, cosmetics, and so on. There is continuing focus on the development

of pomegranate tourist attractions, and it is proving to be a great success.

Source: The Information Office of Zaozhuang Municipal People's Government

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=404912

   Caption: The Jiuquhuahai scenic spot beside Yanma Lake in Fengmao, Shanting District,

Zaozhuang has become a popular tourism destination.

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=404917

   Caption: The Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center in Lizhuang is a popular

attraction, and it provides a platform for villagers' handicrafts to be

displayed, and a place where they can demonstrate their artisan skills.

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=404918

   Caption: Yicheng District is vigorously developing the pomegranate industry and

promoting integrative development to contribute to rural revitalization.