Editor’s Note
On 29 May, the 2022 International Mountain Tourism Day theme event was held online and themed on “Mountain Tourism Promotes Healthy Life and Cultural Exchange”. The event motivated the New Media network, connected IMTA members, destination agencies, enterprises, and experts from all over the world, and carried out “cloud communication, dialogue, and presentation” around three chapters — “Focus · Mountain”, “Health · Life”, and “Civilization · Communication”. Against the background that the global tourism industry is still facing epidemic crisis and other complex situations, the event helps create a healthier and more positive atmosphere and market for mountain tourism, promote cultural exchange, friendly communication, and mutual integration among countries, to jointly prepare, build, and share a bright future of mountain tourism. At the event, the International Mountain Tourism Alliance cooperated with its members and industry organizations from 5 continents, more than 30 countries to carry out a variety of activities to show the difference mountain tourism features and jointly celebrated the arrival of the International Mountain Tourism Day.
Wugong Mountain in Jiangxi：Celebration of 2022 International Mountain Tourism Day
Hello, dear friends, my name is Xu Jianzhong, the Secretary of Party Committee of the Wugong Mountain Scenic Spot in Pingxiang. I would like to thank the International Mountain Tourism Alliance for giving Wugong Mountain the chance to attend this special and meaningful theme activity.
Standing on the Wugong Mountain, you can take the surrounding scenery into view and feel the desire to affect the sun and the moon. Wugong Mountain in Pingxiang, located in the western part of Shanxi Province in China is categorized as one of the 5A national tourist attractions. It has always been one of the three renowned mountains in southern China since ancient times with its breath-taking natural beauty, profound cultural history and simple and unique folk traditions.
The 100000 hectares of alpine meadows here cannot be found in any other famous mountains with the same latitude. The spectacular camp line here is the longest in the world breaking a Guinness World Record. Also the photo taken on the International Camping Day was selected by American Times magazine as the most stunning photo of that year. Wugong Mountain are known as the sky grassland and the outdoor paradise, it is a landmark scenic spot for holding outdoor sports in southern China. For a long time, Wugong Mountain scenic spot has actively promoted healthy lifestyle and civil communication. Taking advantage of its outdoor resources and deep outdoor sports culture, various outdoor festive activities are held in Wugong Mountain to provide numerous visitors with the chance to get in touch with nature and relax.
In 2021, a total of over 1.5 million visitors were received at the scenic spot among which, over 450000 were outdoor hikers. It has also won the gold medal in Outdoor Tourism Destination Competition in 2021 held by the Asia Outdoor Exhibition. To this day, it has successfully held 14 Wugong Tent Festivals, 7 International Bicycle Tournaments Circling Poyang Lake at the stop of Pingxiang, 6 Wugong Cross-country Competitions, two Outdoor Sports Development Forum in China, two Outdoor Electronic Dance and Music Festivals in Huajianli. Chinese College Outdoor Sports and Culture Festivals and many other unique and influential competitions and activities. The annual Tent Festival has turned into a carnival which attracts millions of outdoor fans abroad to come to attend. It is hailed by the China network television as the biggest outdoor tent activity venue in China. Two outdoor electronic dance and music festivals in Huajianli has further boosted the night economy in the scenic spot through its music IP. Serving as a landmark festival in the nearby border area between Hunan Province and Jiangxi province as well as a paragon for successfully developing mountain tourism during the pandemic.
Currently, we are working to accelerate our pace to construct national hiking trail, international outdoor mountain valley, departure camps for travel pals, international tent cultural exhibitions among other infrastructure in order to provide visitors with a much wider space and a better experience of relaxing their bodies and minds. It is important for mountain tourism to play a role in leading people to live a healthy life and enhance cultural communication after the pandemic has broken out. Scenic spots should serve as a paradise for people to immerse themselves in the mountains and rivers while enjoying the fabulous scenery.
I believe under the guidance and support of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance, tourism industry in Wugong Mountain will continue to be integrated into the high-quality international mountain tourism system.
