A private company has bought the rights to develop a state-owned scenic spot near the famed Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province.

The privately owned Huizhou Xiehe Travel Agency paid 20 million yuan (US$2.4 million) to the Xiuning County government for operating rights to Qiyun Mountain for 50 years, the South China Morning Post reported, quoting a company official.

Although other companies have bought operating rights to the nation's scenic areas, a Huizhou Xiehe official described the deal as a breakthrough.

"A private company buying the rights to a state-level scenic area is rare," said Tao Fei, manager of the Shanghai branch of the Huizhou Xiehe Travel Agency.

The company plans to invest 120 million yuan to develop four more scenic spots in the 116 sq km area.

Qiyun Mountain is in the south of Anhui on the borders of Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces, near Yellow Mountain.

Media reports said the deal would bring much-needed funds to develop the area, which has been neglected in favor of nearby Yellow Mountain.
 

(Shenzhen Daily October 22, 2003)