Lanzhou Blends Natural Heritage and Silk Road History to Boost Tourism
Lanzhou is developing an integrated tourism model that combines Danxia geological landscapes, Silk Road heritage and modern cultural attractions to attract international visitors.
**Lanzhou Forges a New Tourism Identity by Merging Natural Wonders with Silk Road Heritage**
**Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz)** — A recent international media tour in Lanzhou showcased how this Chinese city is transforming its distinctive geological terrain into a comprehensive tourism destination, seamlessly blending natural heritage, the historical legacy of the Silk Road, and contemporary cultural experiences.
Lanzhou is actively developing a tourism framework that integrates its geological heritage, historical past, and modern cultural attractions. A prime example of this initiative is the Lanzhou Ink Danxia Landscape Park, situated approximately 13 kilometers from the city center.
Journalists, bloggers, and photographers representing 23 countries across six continents visited the park as part of the "Second Lanzhou International Communication Week – World Media Tour of Lanzhou."
This media tour provided participants with an opportunity to explore both the region's natural marvels and the city's strategic approach to developing them into valuable tourism assets.
**Danxia: A Cornerstone for Tourism Development**
Danxia refers to a unique geological landscape, sculpted over millions of years by natural processes. Its vibrant rock formations, isolated peaks, deep valleys, and narrow gorges create a dramatic panorama that shifts in appearance with varying light and weather conditions.
Following rainfall, the landscape undergoes a transformation, as the rock colors soften and clouds and mist partially shroud the mountains. This ever-changing scenery is a hallmark of Danxia, significantly contributing to its allure for visitors and visual content creators.
Jiang Chenxing, a photojournalist with the Beijing bureau of Brazil's Brasil de Fato news agency, noted that the weather allowed him to appreciate the landscape from a fresh perspective.
"Today I truly understood why these mountains are called 'watercolor Danxia,'" he remarked.
Kristina Borodavko, editor-in-chief of Dialogue News, also emphasized the striking scenery.
"After the rain, the colors of Danxia became even more vivid, while the mountains wrapped in clouds and mist looked like scenes from a movie. It is one of the most unusual geological landscapes I have ever seen," she stated.
**From Natural Attraction to Integrated Tourism Hub**
The Lanzhou Ink Danxia Landscape Park stands as one of Gansu Province's key cultural and tourism endeavors and a priority development project for Lanzhou