Guizhou's petal power gears up in spring(2)

Some destinations, like Bijie and Zunyi cities, have taken flower-viewing to new heights－in every sense.

Bijie has introduced helicopter rides to view the azaleas, while Zunyi has constructed the province's first mountain-climbing route that's expected to open in May.

Even amateurs can climb up the rock face, using iron handrails and cables. It is one of fewer than 10 such routes nationwide.

Tea picking, processing and tasting events also enticed tourists around Tomb Sweeping Day.

Guizhou's most popular sites include the Huangguoshu Waterfall, Libo and the ethnic Miao village of Xijiang.

Most trips to the province offered by China's biggest online travel agency, Ctrip, last roughly five days and cover all three destinations.

April excursions cost a bit north of 3,000 yuan.

As an added attraction, Guizhou offers free access to major scenic spots, and hotel and transportation discounts to visitors from Zhejiang's Ningbo, Jiangsu province's Suzhou, Shandong province's Qingdao and Liaoning province's Dalian.

Speaking of the incentives, the provincial tourism authority's deputy director, Mou Yong, says: "These are developed cities and important sources of tourists to Guizhou."

The province has also signed agreements with Suzhou's travel agencies and scenic attractions.

Suzhou Travel Service chairman Bao Zhijun says: "Guizhou's landscapes also appeal to tourists from Suzhou."

In a related development, Ningbo will train Guizhou's tourism professionals and annually award three agencies from the city that send the most visitors to Guizhou, says the Guizhou tourism authority's director, Li Yonghui.

The province may also emulate the model used at Hangzhou's West Lake, where free admission has boosted visits to the city.

"Guizhou will adopt this development mode," says Mou.

But it'll take time, considering many of the province's attractions need massive investments in infrastructure and maintenance.

Separately, transportation has greatly improved in recent years.

Now, Longdongbao International Airport in the provincial capital, Guiyang, offers 13 flights to and from popular destinations abroad, including Thailand's Bangkok and Phuket, Japan's Osaka and Nagoya, and Indonesia's Bali.

High-speed rail transport has also boosted visitor numbers.

Tourists can now hop onto buses to major scenic spots throughout the province from right outside train stations, says Mou.

All of Guizhou's counties became accessible by highway last year.

Ye says the improved transport system means he'll likely return.

"I've heard about many other attractions," he says.

"I'll definitely return."