The survey, by Hunan Tourism Bureau, Hunan Normal University and Hunan Institute of Commerce, shows that its scenery, historical and cultural value, transport and prosperous economy are the main reasons people pick Beijing as a tourism site.

The survey also listed the other top-ten popular destinations as Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kunming, Changsha, Guilin and Dalian.

According to the survey, cloisonne is still regarded as the most well-known tourist souvenir of China with 28 percent interviewees expressing their fondness for it. Porcelain, tri-colored glazed pottery, Hunan embroidery and jade were next.

Interviewees came from all walks of life, including students, civil servants, teachers, workers, business people and private enterprise employees, and 62.69 percent were city dwellers, while the other 37.31 percent were rural residents.

Liu Han, an official with Hunan Tourism Bureau said that after China's entry into the World Trade Organization, the tourism industry faced fierce international competition as the country still needed internationally high-profile tourism destinations.

( People's Daily October 10, 2002)