Lijiang's Wenhai values protection and development

Sea of flowers flourishes at the south foot of Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang, Yunnan province. [Photo by Wang Xiaorong/news.cn]

The Wenhai village of Lijiang, Yunnan province should promote the development of high-end tourism with scientific planning and rational distribution.

Remarks were made by Cui Maohu, secretary of Lijiang Municipal Party Committee when visiting Baisha town in Yulong Naxi autonomous county, Lijiang, on May 24.

Wenhai village of Baisha town is located at the south foot of Yulong Snow Mountain, 3,180 meters above sea level. This was the only way to the Ancient Tea Horse Road (a road linking Southwest China to South Asia) in history.

The village is constructing a flower field town and the world's highest bulb base. It has planted more than 700 mu (46.7 hectares) of tulips, lilies, hyacinths, hydrangea and other flowers. The flower fields will open to the public for free.

During the season of blooming Shibazakura flowers in May when visitors walk along the ridges of fields, they will be surrounded by Shibazakura flowers of various colors and groups of cattle and sheep leisurely stroll in the sea of flowers.

Visitors enjoy blooming flowers in Wenhai village, Lijiang, Yunnan province. [Photo by Wang Xiaorong/news.cn]

Jade Lake, or Yuhu Lake, sits on the ridge of Yulong Snow Mountain at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, and is a seasonal lake. For most of the year, it is large grassland with small lakes in the center which herds cattle, sheep, horses and pigs from April to November. Only when it heavily rains in July and August, the large grassland turns into a lake.

"Wenhai and Yuhu are ecologically sensitive regions and are the most attractive and potential areas for development in Baisha town. It is vital to handle the relationship between protection and development," said Cui.

He added that it is imperative to focus on the treatment of sewage, garbage and rural non-point pollution. "We must take strong measures to strengthen management and control of all villages, units, enterprises and people in the area, and do not let a drop of sewage and a piece of garbage enter into the water source," he said.

The asphalt road leading from Wenzhou to the urban area of Lijiang has led to the development of Wenhai's tourism industry. Naxi people in Wenhai village began to run farmhouses. While admiring the picturesque scenery and the rich Naxi style, visitors can also enjoy local cuisine.

The beautiful scenery of blooming Shibazakura flowers in Wenhai village, Lijiang, Yunnan province. [Photo by Wang Xiaorong/news.cn]

"We must promote the proper development of Wenhai and Yuhu areas without touching the ecological red line," said Cui.

We should speed up the hardware construction of highways around the lake, scenic walkway, regional greening and scenic viewing facilities along the way, and build top brands and characteristic industries with equal attention to protection and development. We should delimit a reasonable range of agricultural and pastoral areas and scenic spots.

At the same time, it is necessary to introduce powerful enterprises, operate in a market-oriented way according to the collective assets of villagers, develop rationally under the guidance of appropriate and limited principles, and strive to build high-end leisure resorts.

Horses walk in the flower fields at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain. [Photo by Wang Xiaorong/news.cn]

Horses drink water along the Yuhu Lake in Baisha town of Lijiang. [Photo by Wang Xiaorong/news.cn]