Maanshan city of Anhui province invested heavily in tourism projects in the first half of 2013, Wanjiang Evening News reported on Monday, August 19.

According to a work report covering Maanshan's tourism, the city realized tourism revenue of 6.3 billion yuan ($1 billion) in the first half, with completed investment amounting to 5.5 billion yuan. By July this year, 69 tourism projects have been launched, reaching 114.8 billion yuan in total investment. Of them, 33 have financing over 500 million yuan. The total investment amounts to 103.3 billion yuan.

According to Maanshan's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), efforts are underway to build the city into a market-oriented tourism destination catering to the Yangtze River Delta. The government also provides support for construction of infrastructure to achieve a sound tourism base.

In the coming period, the government will deepen reform of scenic area management and strengthen fiscal support for tourism to complete construction of a tourism city in 3–5 years.

By Guo Yi

Edited by Michael Thai, Huang Pei