The groundbreaking ceremony for the Danxia Mountain Cultural Tourism Complex was held on Tuesday, marking the start of a major collaboration between Shaoguan Municipal Government and Sunriver Group Holding Co Ltd. 

The complex will span 53,700 square meters, with 73,000 square meters of built-up area, offering a mix of eco-tourism, family recreation, leisure, shopping, and entertainment.

Key features will include a world geopark museum, immersive exhibitions on Danxia culture, and a showcase of its 5A-rated scenic spots. It is set for completion and full operation by July 2026.

Danxia Mountain (丹霞山), Guangdong’s only UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, is famed for its red sandstone cliffs (赤壁丹崖) and is Shaoguan’s most important tourism resource. Each year, over 150,000 visitors come for research and educational purposes.

Shaoguan Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio and Television outlined plans to improve the mountain's infrastructure, including the construction of a high-end conference hotel, upgraded cable cars, a new funicular, and a museum. These enhancements aim to boost the tourism appeal while conserving biodiversity.

In 2023, Shaoguan signed 244 cultural tourism projects, with a total investment of 13.2 billion yuan ($1.88 billion). Recent initiatives have led to a 56 percent increase in visitors to Danxia Mountain, further driving the region’s cultural tourism growth.

Translated by the China Daily from the original report in Chinese as published on Southcn.com, the official website of Nanfang Daily Media Group