China has superior natural conditions. It is one of the countries that straddle the greatest number of climate zones. China’s landform is varied, encompassing mountains, plateaus, basins, plains and hilly areas. In China at present, with fast economic development propelled by the policies of reform and opening to the outside world, tourist resources are being developed on a massive scale. Places of historical interest, scenic areas and nature reserves for the protection of rare animals and plant species – these are important heritages left behind by past generations and nature; they are also important conditions for the development of a tourist industry and scientific research.

A total of 119 areas have been designated as state-level places of scenic beauty and/or historical interest, including 19 that have been listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritages sites by the United Nations. Through a recent national poll, the following have been recognized as the Top Nine Places of Scenic Beauty or Historical Interest in China: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City in Beijing, Mount Huangshan in Anhui, the West Lake in Hangzhou, Guilin Landscape, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, gardens in Suzhou, the Terra-cotta Soldiers and Horses of Emperor Qin Shihuang in Xi’an, the Summer Resort in Chengde.

By visiting the famous irrigation and flood control projects together with places of historical interest, scenic areas and nature reserves, seven congress study tours can be organized for the 19th ICID Congress and 56th IEC meeting.

[Tour “A”] Visit Hebei and Shaanxi provinces, including Shijin Irrigation District, Jinghui Channel built in 1930’s, Terra Cotta warriors in Xi’an, the Forest of Steles Museum, and Great Wild Goose Pagoda.
[Tour “B”] Visit Hubei and Sichuan provinces to see the Three Gorges, which is the largest hydroelectric project in the world (181m, 18,200 MW), Grand Buddha at Leshan, Wuyou Temple, Dujiangyan irrigation system, which was built in 219 BC and is still functioning today.
[Tour “C”] Visit Yunnan Province, in southwest China to see beauty spots at Dian Lake, West Mountain, Qiongzhu Temple and Grand View Park in Kunming City, fly to Dali City, which is more than 1000 years old and home of the ethnic group of Bai people to see Erhai Lake, and visit Lijiang River.
[Tour “D”] Visit Anhui and Jiangsu provinces to see the famous Huangshan Mountain, including the Guest-greeting Pine, Peak of light, Stone fallen from sky; famous Suzou Gardens in Jiangsu Province.
[Tour “E”] Visit Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guizhou Province to see Reed Flute Cave, Seven Star Rocks and Elephant Trunk Peak in Guilin City; visit Ling Canal, a Trans-basin navigation project built in the Qin Dynasty (219 BC); A sightseeing tour on Li River, the Guilin Karst area with many caves; Take a visit of Guiyang to see Huangguoshu Waterfall, the Cave of Dragon Palace, Natural Park of Star Potted Landscape and Silver Chains Drooping to the Pool in Guizhou Province.

[Tour “F”] Visit Henan Province to see the temple of Shaolin, the Pagoda Forest in Dengfeng City,
White Horse Temple and Longmen Caves in Luoyang City, and Xiaolangdi dam, the largest hydro project on the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and designed for flood and sediment control and power generation.
[Tour “G”] Visit Zhejiang Province and Shanghai Municipality to see the modernized irrigated agricultural area in suburb, West Lake, Temple of the Seoul’s Retreat (Linyin), and Peak That Flew from Afar (Feilaifeng) in Hangzhou City; City God Temple (Chenghuangmiao) and Pudong New District in Shanghai.

TOUR FOR ACCOMPANYING PERSONS

Chinese National Committee on Irrigation & Drainage
20 West Chegongzhuang St., Beijing 100044
Beijing2005@cncid.org
Tel: 86-10-68415522 ext 6506
Fax: 86-10-68457179