A report issued by China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) showed that the number of scenic spots in China had reached 20,000. Scenic sites have accounted half of China's tourism industry.

In the 2005 China Scenic Spots Development Report, information showed that by January 2005, there were about 20,000 scenic spots existing in China. Among them, there were 1,401 a-class scenic sites, 177 state-level landscape resorts, 154 national natural reserves, 565 state-level forest parks, 105 geological parks and 306 sample bases for industrial and agricultural tourism. In addition, 31 natural and cultural relics have been included in the World Heritage List.

CNTA's deputy director of Programming and Financing Department Zhang Jilin said tourism development in China were imbalanced in various fields. While China is rich in sightseeing tourism, vocational tours and special tours lag behind. He said while China would continue its efforts to promote the former, the latter two should also be cultivated at the same time.

He said at present, many of China's rich tourist resources had not been transformed to mature products. And it was imperative to change from tourism of quality to tourism of efficiency.   

(Chinanews.cn November 4, 2005)