STORY: Thriving mountaineering unlocks economic potential of China's remote area
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage/File
DATELINE: Aug. 26, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:17
LOCATION: XINING, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Yuzhu Peak
2. various of the Yuzhu Peak international mountaineering town
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): TIE JIE, Head of culture, sports, radio, television and tourism bureau of Qumalai County

STORYLINE:

The mountaineering industry is booming in the remote highlands of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province, stimulating local economic vitality.

At 6,178 meters above sea level, Yuzhu Peak, the highest peak in the eastern Kunlun Mountains, is known for its unique natural scenery and approachable elevation.

It draws mountaineering enthusiasts from all over the world, including quite a few novices.

As mountaineering gains popularity, an increasing number of herders are engaged in mountaineering-related jobs.

Nestled at the foot of Yuzhu Peak, Ngangla Village in Qumalai County exemplifies the thriving local mountaineering industry.

In 2023, the village's income from the mountaineering industry was nearly 1.2 million yuan, with villagers receiving dividends at the end of the year.

On Aug. 8, an international mountaineering tourism project was launched in Ngangla Village.

Covering an area of 2.3 hectares, the tourism complex comprises sports, entertainment, scientific research and study tours

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): TIE JIE, Head of culture, sports, radio, television and tourism bureau of Qumalai County
"To provide better services for mountaineering enthusiasts, Qumalai County invested 34 million yuan (4.77 million U.S. dollars) in 2022 to build the Yuzhu Peak international mountaineering town, which was put into use in early August. Last year, we trained 8 local herders to become certified mountaineering guides. Their total annual income reached 440,000 yuan (about 61,800 U.S. dollars)."

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