1、1Fujian Tulou Seat of World-class Tourism AmbitionsNANJING County under Fu- jians Zhangzhou City is a major site of Fujian Tulou ?C indigenous earthen residential buildings inscribed into the World Cultural Heritage List in 2008. It is also within easy reach of Xiamen ?C a scenic Special Economic Zo
2、ne just 80 kilometers away on Chinas southeastern coast. In recent years, the Nanjing County government has made great efforts to build its economic strength by heightening its tourism prospects and optimizing local industries. Five development zones have been established in the area, including one
3、for high-tech and one dedicated to the tulou culture. Tourism is a major player in the local economy. By converting the county seat into a recreational and holidaymaking center featuring native tulou culture, Nanjing hopes to step into the ranks of world-famous tourist destinations within three to f
4、ive years, with a set annual target of receiving six million tourists. According to Mr. Chen Zhonghou, Secretary of the CPC 2Nanjing County Committee, Nanjing has rich tourism resources. The county has more than 15,000 tulou buildings of various sizes and shapes ?C among them are the tallest, larges
5、t, smallest and oldest, as well as the most magnificent and grotesque of their kind in the world. The Nanjing tulou buildings fall into 18 designs; square and round ones are most common, but there are also fan-shaped, U-shaped, pagoda-shaped, and umbrella-shaped ones, to name just a few. The Tianluo
6、keng tulou might be the best known of them. It is an impressive cluster of age-old earthen constructions, comprising four ring-shaped and one quadrate one; they were nicknamed “UFOs from Outer Space,” and “Mushrooms of the Earth.” The site has greatly elevated Nanjings status as a “Home of Fujian Tu
7、lou.” The tulou buildings are found amid pristine, picturesque surroundings and deserve broader attention from the world. The county also boasts other sites of human interest and scenic beauty, such as Yunshuiyao Town embowered in ancient banyans and graced by gurgling streams, the mountainous villa
8、ge of Taxia, and the Huboliao National Nature Reserve, a paradise of wild animals, birds and flowers. The county is trying to better its investment environment 3and develop an agreeable ambiance for investors as well. The Nanjing High and New Technology Industrial Zone with its advanced infrastructu
9、re is a result of such efforts. Covering 50 square kilometers, it is the only zone of its kind in Zhangzhou City that has been granted provincial status. The county has also kicked off several other large-scale projects to improve its infrastructure, including Fujians largest railway freight transfe
10、r depot. While upgrading its infrastructure, the local government has not neglected the updating of administrative services. It has streamlined the county administrative service center, set up a public resources exchange center, and initiated a three-party (county administration, bankers and entrepreneurs) joint steering committee. Chen Zhonghou is confident that through their unremitting effort the countys tourism and investment environment will make Nanjing ideal for travelers and investors alike.
