Since the beginning of 2023, rural tourism during statutory holidays has achieved a "twelve consecutive championships" in reception volume across the city. In the first three quarters of this year, the total tourism revenue is expected to reach 9.55 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 25.5%, setting a new historical record. This is a testament to Yanqing District's efforts in improving its modern tourism system and promoting high-quality development in the cultural and tourism industries.
Upholding integrity and innovation to drive industry development
With its beautiful ecology, clear waters, and stunning mountains, Yanqing's "golden brand" shines brightly. This is not only Yanqing's charm but also its asset. As one of the first national all-area tourism demonstration zones, Yanqing leverages its high-quality ecology and unique cultural resources. It adheres to a "year-round, all-season, all-area" development strategy, formulating a dedicated plan for the cultural and tourism industry while continuously implementing a three-year action plan for all-area tourism. Today, the seasonal themes are distinct: spring flowers, summer camping, autumn cycling, and winter ice and snow. The tourism landscape is clearly defined, featuring the southern Great Wall, the central Expo Park, northern snow activities, and eastern mountain and water industries.
With clear weather, both residents and tourists are flocking to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery, and many cycling enthusiasts are riding in to capture the moment. "This road truly lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful rural road. The distant mountains and nearby trees are a riot of colors, the blue sky and white clouds create a refreshing atmosphere, and you can also sample autumn fruits along the way. The cycling experience is fantastic," commented cycling enthusiast Sun Shuo.
In terms of deepening cultural content, Yanqing adheres to the principle of "shaping tourism with culture and showcasing culture through tourism." It thoroughly explores the rich cultural themes of the Great Wall, ecological culture, ice and snow culture, Guichuan culture, and red culture. This has led to the creation of a variety of high-differentiation, immersive experiences and specialized products, including leisure vacations, family study tours, ecological wellness, and team-building activities. This year, the large-scale immersive drama "Dreaming of the Great Wall" was performed at the Beijing Expo Park, offering a glimpse into a thousand years of history. The "Guihe Night Painting" night tour experience was launched at Donghu Park, allowing visitors to enjoy a romantic and colorful summer night on the historic Guihe River. At the Beijing Expo Park, there has been a surge in study tours that leverage the rich ecological and cultural resources of the area. During the summer, the park introduced a range of summer camps, including programs for childcare, soccer training, music (art) training, American sports, international youth camps, cultural study tours, and national defense training camps, adding new momentum to the development of all-area tourism in Yanqing.
Enhancing quality and efficiency to strengthen safeguards
Adhering to a "visitor-centered" approach, Yanqing is taking a dual approach, implementing both "soft" and "hard" measures.
The hard support is foundational. Yanqing has launched the "Food in Yanqing" action plan, focusing on key scenic spots, homestays, and residential areas. This initiative aims to enhance various aspects, including ingredient selection, cooking techniques, dish pairing, and dining environments. New dishes are being introduced, innovative models explored, and new dining experiences promoted. Notably, the plan features 11 signature local meals, such as the corn banquet in Jiuxian Town, the iron pot fish banquet in Qianjiadian Town, the hot pot tofu banquet in Liugou, and the stone-cooked feast in Shixia Village. Additionally, eight specialty dishes have been created to elevate the region's dining service standards and promote the branding of the catering industry.
In addition, Yanqing has developed a three-dimensional transportation network supported by "one high-speed rail and three expressways," promoting smart upgrades for scenic spots and creating the "Yanqing Gift" cultural brand while accelerating the development of an outdoor sports city. This comprehensive approach covers all elements of "dining, accommodation, transportation, activities, shopping, and entertainment," enhancing the experience and satisfaction of visitors.
The soft power serves as a safeguard. Yanqing has established a policy framework to promote the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industries, along with a collaborative work mechanism to ensure a safe, harmonious, and stable tourism market. Efforts are being made to encourage cultural and tourism enterprises, merchants, and residents to adopt a sense of ownership and hospitality, fostering a new guest-centric model that ensures visitors arrive with excitement and leave satisfied.
Yongning Town's Guichuan Ancient City features uniquely styled farmhouses with attentive service, attracting many repeat customers and garnering positive reviews. When discussing her business experience, owner Zhang Xiufen emphasized, "We focus on heartfelt service." This dedication is reflected not only in the environment, cleanliness, service, and attitude but also in the genuine care of the operators. "During the autumn and winter months, there's a significant temperature difference in Yanqing, and some visitors from the city may find it cold. We make sure to turn on the air conditioning in advance to create a comfortable indoor temperature. We also provide local fruits, which not only enhances visitor satisfaction but also promotes local agricultural products," Zhang Xiufen shared.
Integrating development to enhance quality
Yanqing adheres to the "Tourism +" and "+ Tourism" development model, focusing on its iconic attractions such as the Great Wall, the Beijing Expo, and the Winter Olympics.
Beijing Shi Yuan Park offers year-round excitement, hosting a series of sports events and music festivals, including the Jing-Zhang Highway Cycling Open, the Spartan Race, and the Strawberry Music Festival. This year, in line with the nationwide sports enthusiasm, the park introduced unique events like the Beijing International Triathlon Challenge, further promoting the integration of the cultural and tourism industries.
After the Winter Olympics, the Yanqing Olympic Park has transitioned to year-round operations. The park offers free entry, allowing visitors to explore the Winter Olympics Exhibition Center, the Olympic Village, and the National Bobsleigh and Skeleton Center. It has launched various attractions, such as the Sky Mirror, mountain cart rides, and hot springs, enriching the visitor experience. Notably, the park has leveraged the Winter Olympics' influence to successfully host ten international and national ice and snow events, including the Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup and the National Alpine Skiing Championships. Recently, the National Bobsleigh and Skeleton Center completed ice-making for upcoming events in the 2024-2025 season, preparing for a series of major ice and snow competitions.
Additionally, Yanqing is actively promoting the "Hundred-Thousand Project" demonstration area, aiming to create a distinctive rural revitalization brand. The district is deepening the "Homestay +" development model, enriching the content of rural tourism. It continues to host brand activities like the Great Wall Music Festival and the Ice Lantern Art Festival, building a fashionable, youthful, diverse cultural and tourism product system. These initiatives not only enhance the quality of integrated development but also strengthen Yanqing's unique cultural tourism brand, adding new vitality and charm to the region's long-term growth.
