Chongqing - As Chongqing endures a sweltering heat wave, the Shizhu Huangshui Tourist Resort in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County offers a refreshing escape. With an 87% vegetation coverage rate, this area enjoys a pleasant average summer temperature of 21°C, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and leisure.

As Chongqing faces intense summer heat, Shizhu Huangshui Tourist Resort in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County provides a refreshing escape. (Photo/Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County)

"Shizhu is not only a base for health and wellness consumer products but also ranks among China's top 100 counties for tourism competitiveness," said Zhang Hua, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shizhu County Committee, during a press conference on August 23. The cultural and tourism industry is a key pillar for Shizhu, highlighting its potential for high-quality development. The resort's reputation as a "health and wellness haven" is becoming increasingly distinctive in the tourism sector.

Since July, the resort's appeal has surged, with total visitor numbers reaching 16.13 million—an increase of 21% compared to last year. The daily maximum number of visitors has hit 247,000.

Recently, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism recognized the Shizhu Huangshui Tourist Resort Area as a national-level tourist destination, placing it among the elite 22 resorts nationwide.

In 2024, the Sun Lake Scenic Area focus on optimizing its layout and enhancing service levels to improve the visitor experience. New attractions include guesthouses, dining options, and low-altitude paragliding, resulting in over 1.3 million yuan(about 0.18 million USD) in revenue—a significant increase from previous years.

The view of Sun Lake Scenic Area. (Photo/Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County)

The area boasts 534 dining establishments, including 21 specialty restaurants offering unique meals, "Potato Feast" and "Lotus Root Feast." There are over 360 accommodations, including luxury hotels, boutique guesthouses, forest cabins, and RV campsites, providing a range of options to meet diverse visitor needs.

New transportation infrastructure, including the Shanghai-Chengdu High-Speed Rail Huangshui Station and new connecting roads, will shorten travel times from Shizhu to Chongqing to 1 hour, to Chengdu to 3 hours, to Wuhan to 4 hours, and to Shanghai to 6 hours. Additionally, four new sightseeing bus routes will further enhance visitor convenience.

Huangshui National Tourist Resort is not only renowned for its natural beauty but also for its rich cultural heritage. The Tianshang Huangshui Grand Theater in Huangshui Town now hosts Chongqing's first indoor tourism performance, the large-scale Tujia dance and song show "Tianshang Huangshui."

The Tianshang Huangshui Grand Theater. (Photo/Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County)

As one of China's four Tujia Autonomous Counties, Shizhu has a Tujia ethnic population that constitutes 81% of its residents. Through "Tian Shang Huangshui," visitors experience the authentic charm of Tujia culture, enjoying both the visual spectacle and the profound cultural immersion.

The resort's unique blend of cultural and natural attractions offers visitors not just a sightseeing experience but a chance to actively participate in and engage with local traditions, creating a distinctive and memorable experience.

Since July, the resort's cooling economy has continued to thrive, with total visitors reaching 16.13 million and daily visitor numbers peaking at 247,000.