Yanqi’s MICE tourism ambition after APEC(2)

The future plan is to develop the current 4A Yanqi Lake scenic area into a 5A tourist site.[Photo/Xinhua]

Media center to be top film and television industry base.

Adjacent to the Yanqi Lake, there is a gray building with an arched gate, with surrounding water platforms clear as mirrors. It served as the media center during the APEC summit for thousands of journalists and media professionals from home and abroad.

The building was originally built as a cultural park based on the Chinese literary classic Dream of the Red Chamber, featuring settings of the novel like the Rong Ning commercial street which are perfect for film or TV drama shooting. Now it incorporates entertainer training, TV drama production, technical service and tourism, aiming at building itself into a top film and television industry base.

Yanqi Lake strives to be 5A scenic spot

Besides the above three landmark buildings, the hotels (the Yanqi hotel and the 12 Boutique hotels, both are managed by Kempinski) that accommodated the World leaders and dignitaries during APEC are also worth visiting. The 12 Boutique hotels blend contemporary and traditional elements with design inspired by the Chinese Imperial Gardens and the concept of Beijing 'Siheyuan'.

Staff from Yanqi Lake scenic spot said the plan is to add an island tour program, which will be open to the pubic and satisfy citizens' wish to experience APEC site at close quarters. The future plan is to develop the current 4A Yanqi Lake scenic area into a 5A tourist site. Huairou district will be poised to tap into the international market and offer itself as an ideal option for a fully-integrated MICE venue to meeting and exhibition planners.

Renovation of supporting facilities

Apart from the renovation of the core area of Yanqi Lake, the improvement of supporting commercial facilities in the surroundings is also part of the plan. Sanitary conditions are significantly improved, even facilities in households including TV, air conditioner, washing machines were replaced by new ones in the folk culture villages around Yanqi Lake. The village courtyards have been turned into high end hotels.

It is also worth noting that Huairou has renovated the public facilities in 26 scenic spots in its jurisdiction. The Mutianyu Great Wall has been expanded from 8 square km to 24 square km, with its reception capability being increased from 10,000 to 30,000.

Besides, the Hongluo Temple scenic area has been greatly upgraded in terms of ticket offices, bilingual signs and car parks. All necessary initiatives are taken to ensure a better service in various tourist attractions in Huairou.