The State Development Planning Commission plans to invest 88 million yuan on construction of a number of scenic spots in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the coming three years.

This is part of the central and local governments' effort to develop tourism as a pillar industry and to attract more domestic and overseas visitors.

The new scenic spots will cover an area of 153 square km and is located in Ili Prefecture in western part of Xinjiang.

With its unique landscape, plenty of cultural relics and folk custom, Xinjiang's tourism has developed rapidly in the last 20 years.

Last year, Xinjiang attracted more than 220,000 overseas tourists and some seven million domestic visitors, earning over US$85 million in foreign exchange and 6 billion yuan (UIS$722 million).

Xinjiang has 160 first class hotels offering excellent services and accommodation for both domestic and overseas tourists.

(People’s Daily)