STORY: Dinosaur highlights tourism in NE China's Yanji
DATELINE: June 30, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:40
LOCATION: YANJI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Yanji Dinosaur Museum
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI JINZHE, Director, Dinosaur Culture Research and Development Center, Yanji
3. various of Yanji Dinosaur Kingdom
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DU YAN, Staff of Yanji Dinosaur Kingdom
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): JING SILUO, Tourist
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): YANG YINGHUI, Tourist

STORYLINE:

In a momentous find in 2016, researchers unearthed the fossil of a dinosaur from the early Cretaceous period in northeast China's Yanji. This remarkable discovery not only sparked scientific intrigue but also presented a golden opportunity for local tourism.
 
Harnessing the significance of this find, authorities in Yanji undertook a holistic approach, integrating fossil excavation, preservation, and scientific research. The outcome was the establishment of the groundbreaking Yanji Dinosaur Museum, a specialized institution poised to captivate and attract tourists.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LI JINZHE, Director, Dinosaur Culture Research and Development Center, Yanji
"We've carried out a digital upgrade of the Dinosaur Museum, which will bring more experiences to tourists."

Last year, a theme park named the Yanji Dinosaur Kingdom was set up next to the museum, attracting tourists from home and abroad.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DU YAN, Yanji Dinosaur Kingdom
"We have built an amusement park which combines dinosaur culture and tourism resources to bring tourists a comprehensive theme park that integrates cultural activities and entertainment."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): JING SILUO, Tourist
"I'm a fan of dinosaurs, so I come over to learn more about them. Upon arrival, I discovered that this place has also unearthed dinosaur fossils."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): YANG YINGHUI, Tourist
"I've seen a lot of foreign tourists today. And I think it's another good destination of China."

During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, about 15,000 tourists came to visit Yanji Dinosaur Kingdom.

According to the data, the number of travel orders in Yanji this summer increased 11 times over the same period last year.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yanji, China.
(XHTV)