Sanqing Mountain Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Being Listed as a World Heritage Site

SHANGRAO, China, July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 8, Sanqing Mountain Scenic Spot celebrated the fifth anniversary of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearly 200 people attended the event, including the site's managers and workers, tourism industry experts who participated in Sanqing Mountain's application process for World Heritage status, representatives from China's eight other World Natural Heritage sites (Longhu Mountain, Jianglang Mountain, Jiuzhaigou Valley, Guifeng Mountain, Taining, Wulong, Chishui and Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries) and online volunteers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130715/CN46486 )

At the Jinsha Visitor Plaza, Tan Ganming, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and director of the Management Committee at Sanqing Mountain Scenic Spot, gave a welcoming speech. Other speakers included Wang Yuanlin, deputy director at Jiangxi World Natural Heritage and Scenic Spot Management Center and Ding Zaibuzuo on behalf of Jiuzhaigou World Heritage Site, all of whom called on everyone to protect the World Heritage sites. Liu Shuzong, secretary of the Party Committee at Sanqing Mountain Scenic Spot, concluded with the announcement of the official launch of the "Share World Heritage and Build a Beautiful China" celebrations.

As part of the ensuing activities, participants enhanced their awareness of protecting World Heritage sites and shared the experience in managing the sites by reviewing Sanqing Mountain's journey to World Heritage status and visiting the World Heritage photo show.

On July 8, 2008, Sanqing Mountain took its place on the World Heritage List at the 32^nd Session of the World Heritage Committee in Quebec, Canada, making it China's seventh and Jiangxi province's first World Natural Heritage member. During the past five years, Sanqing Mountain has invested heavily in strengthening protection of the site, improving management, accelerating development and enriching the experience for the visitor. At the same time, the site has taken economic development, resource conservation and brand awareness to a new level by initiating new projects, building brand image, promoting the site's visibility and exploring new markets. After being recognized as a World Natural Heritage, National AAAAA Scenic Spot and World Geological Park, Sanqing Mountain hosted 3.28 million tourists from China and from around the world in the first half of this year, an increase of 17.8 percent compared to the same period last year, while consolidated tourism revenues grew 22.7 percent year on year to 2.20 billion, demonstrating the scenic area's continued leadership both in Jiangxi province and across China.

About Sanqing Mountain

The World Natural Heritage site of Sanqing Mountain -- the most beautiful granites on the western side of the Pacific

Sanqing Mountain, which is honored as a World Natural Heritage, World Geological Park, National AAAAA Scenic Spot and National Park of China, is situated in the northeastern part of Shangrao city, Jiangxi province and got its name from the mountain's three peaks -- Yujing, Yuxu and Yuhua -- which, according to legend, each have an eponymous Taoist deity sitting atop each respective peak.

The scenic spot covers 757 square kilometers with Yujing, the highest peak, at 1,819 meters above sea level. The area features thousands of hills and tens of thousands of streams and brooks, as well as flourishing old trees and rare birds. The mountain is recognized as the "world's No.1 celestial mountain," as it is continuously bathed in a sea of clouds and fog, giving it a feeling of being forever imbued with celestial charm. For over 1,600 years, it was also considered a Taoist mountain. In particular, the ancient architectural complex of Sanqing Place, laid out in accordance with the Eight Diagrams of Taoist cosmology, is designated as one of China's ancient outdoor Taoist museums by the State Council's cultural heritage experts.

The World Heritage Centre's committee highly praised the mountain's heritage value. The committee added in its comments that the scenic spot displays a unique array of fantastically shaped granite pillars along with several mountain peaks all concentrated in a relatively small area. The rich fantastically shaped rock formations intermixed with delicate forest coverage and combined with ever-shifting sights and amazing weather patterns create a landscape of unique and arresting beauty.

For more information, please contact:

Yang Xiaoxi
+86 138 7036 5229
[email protected]

SOURCE Mount Sanqingshan Tourism Bureau