The authorities have also taken advantage of the challenging terrain to arrange sporting events, including a national auto rally in Qinglong county, an international summer marathon in Liupanshui city, an international rock-climbing competition in Anshun city and a cycling race around Fanjing Mountain. Cave quests, forest adventures and water sports have been arranged as well.

From 2016 to 2019, Guizhou's tourist footfall and tourism revenue maintained an average annual growth rate of more than 30 percent. The added value of tourism and allied industries exceeded 100 billion yuan last year, accounting for 5.2 percent of the province's GDP.

"It means tourism has become a pillar industry of the province," Sun says.

Sreng Sataro, charge d'affaires of the embassy of Cambodia in China, says he was impressed by what Guizhou had to offer during his stay for the tourism conference. "On my way to the ancient town of Qingyan, I only saw green mountains. I couldn't see the rock face. It means Guizhou is a natural ecological wonder. It is a green lung of China."

Sataro says Guizhou and Cambodia have similar potential in terms of mountain tourism and a collaboration can be fruitful in promoting sustainable economic growth, alleviating poverty and protecting nature's abundance. "It is necessary to strengthen our cooperation," he stresses, adding that only long-term exchange could help countries in Asia achieve prosperity.

Wang Jin contributed to this story.

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