World Heritage Week Set to Open

Lofty mountains and abundant streams and rivers are part of the natural heritage of southwest China's, Sichuan province. Natural beauty is what the province intends to promote as it marks World Heritage Week later this month. Since last week, Sichuan has opened the doors to Zhangjiajie, one of its most pristine tourist destinations. The promotional campaign will give sightseers an opportunity to explore natural scenery at a deeper level.

World Heritage Week in Sichuan, chiefly will cover the Wulingyuan Zone. That includes the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoyuxi Natural Preservation Area, and the Tianzishan Natural Preservation Area.

That area encompasses nearly 400 square kilometers. The Wulingyuan Zone is best known for its unique landscapes, its mountains and waterways. Geologists consider the region an ideal locale embodying many types of terrain typical of tropical regions. And for tourists from home and abroad the area has become a major attraction.

The Zhangjiajie region was designated as a major tourist destination by the Chinese government in 1988. Four years later, it was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Three years ago, it was honored as one of the first internationally-recognized Geo-Parks. In March, the Chinese government conferred its top rated "Four-A" designation on the area.

World heritage is a concept created to promote universal awareness of culture and natural beauty. As such, the concept, evolving into UNESCO heritage list acts as a kind of textbook, from which people everywhere can learn more about Humanity's common heritage.

Management authorities for Zhangjiajie hope World Heritage Week, will enlighten more people around the world about the area's natural beauty.