Podcast
Province hopes to rejuvenate hot spring culture
Updated: 2010-06-28 13:16
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Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, has recently launched a series of projects aimed at rejuvenating its millennium-old hot spring culture.
Fuzhou hot spring has a long history, which can be dated back to 1,700 years ago. In the early Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), an "official bath" and a "civilian bath" were built.
As times have changed and people's living pace quickened, the traditional hot spring culture has been forgotten. Young people are not aware of the hot spring tradition and few ever visit the hot springs.
The predicament of the traditional hot spring industry is also reflected in the fast shrinking number of hot spring venues.
"Rong Hua City," once a busy and crowded hot spring road, is gradually disappearing. Sanshanzuo, a once famous venue on the road, now struggles to turn a profit.
Prices have been kept low to attract visitors. People can enjoy a hot spring bath for just 6 yuan. A monthly ticket costs only 120 yuan. At these prices, the average daily number of customers is maintained at about 500, which is still only just enough to make ends meet.
The Fuzhou government has officially launched a support plan to promote the traditional hot spring industry.
A number of hot spring resorts and baths have been undergoing renovation and expansion. Seven hot spring spa houses, including Three Mountains, Worker's, Detian Spring and Huaqing Tower baths, are being refurbished.
Fuzhou will also rebuild three ancient bathhouses and promote them as special historical hot spring sites.
Fuzhou will promote hot springs as its top tourist attraction. Five hot spring resorts have been built, including the Qingyun Mountain Royal Hot Spring Resort.
Another five hot spring projects are under construction, with a total investment of 800 million yuan.
The local government is also considering launching 10 hot spring tourism development projects, for which they would seek foreign investment of 12 billion yuan.
（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is fluent in Korean and has a 2-year-old son.