Panda-powered tourism fuels summer resort economy in southwest China town The Shenshuping Base of Wolong China Giant Panda Garden, operated by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), is home to over 70 giant pandas. The average summer temperature here stands at around 22 degrees Celsius, with pleasant cool weather and adorable giant pandas attracting tourists nationwide.
Since the start of summer vacation, the base has received more than 88,000 visitors. Cao Ying, Tourist, Hunan Province: “My child is overjoyed, as cheerful as a little bird. The climate here is incredibly agreeable. It’s August, the hottest time of the year elsewhere, yet there’s no sweltering heat here at all. Unlike scenic spots dominated by one- or two-day sightseeing trips, tourists visiting Gengda Town mainly opt for medium-to-long summer residential stays.
Official statistics show visitors stay an average of 20 days, with long-term summer renters accounting for over 80 percent of all tourists. Liu Xiuhua, Homestay operator, Gengda Town, Wenchuan County: “Most family travelers combine panda watching with summer getaways. Previously, guests would only stay one or two nights and leave quickly.
Now many families spend their days touring the panda base and relax in homestays to escape the heat in the evening. Both the length of visitors’ stays and their willingness to spend have risen noticeably.” To date, Gengda Town boasts more than 470 homestay businesses offering over 18,000 beds. The homestay sector has become a pillar industry creating local jobs and steady income for residents.
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