Wuhan Aims To Be Tourism Center In Central China

Wuhan held its first tourism development conference recently to outline its vision for its tourism industry.

Under the new development plan, Wuhan will build three urban tourism blocks based on two rivers, lakes, and horse racing by 2015. Also it is expected to be central China's tourism city focusing on business exhibitions and urban leisure.

In addition, Wuhan will integrate its tourism resources to form a tourism pattern of "one center with three blocks and one circle of 16 tourist areas". The one center indicates an urban tourism center including three tourism agglomerations covering the Yangtze River and Han River, East Lake, and Orient Lucky City near Jinyin Lake. The 16 tourist areas will be around the downtown area including the Mulan eco-tourism area and Daoguan River tourist area.

From 2004 to 2009, Wuhan's tourism industry has been growing at a rate of 20% a year. In 2008 the tourism revenue of Wuhan reached CNY37.3 billion. Tourism is expected to be another polar industry for Wuhan.