From December 2009 the World Natural Heritage destination Libo county in Guizhou province is opening over 20 red tourism sites to the public free of charge.

Red tourism sites refer to areas in China that are historically significant for China's independence and growth since 1949.

According to Qin Yuanjian, the director of Libo's cultural heritage management department, these sites used to charge from CNY5 to CNY10 for admission, which reduced the attraction of these places to citizens and tourists. The cancellation of admission charges is expected be helpful to the tourism industry in constructing the new socialist countryside.

The South China Karst in Libo became Guizhou's first World Heritage destination in June 2007, at the same time as Wulong in Chongqing and Shilin in Yunnan. As at October 12, 2009, 2,172,000 tourists had visited Libo, an increase of 25.3% over last year; and tourism revenues reached CNY510.98 million, an increase of 31.4% over 2008.

Source: China Hospitality