Liupanshui in SW China's Guizhou leverages natural assets, culture to boost residential tourism

Photo shows the Yeyuhai National Tourist Resort in Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Tu Min)

Nestled deep in the Mengshan Mountains of Liupanshui city in southwest China's Guizhou Province, the Yeyuhai National Tourist Resort provides a cool retreat from the summer heat.

When a recreational vehicle passed through the resort, its driver was so taken by the picturesque views and refreshing climate that he made an unplanned detour into the scenic area.

The driver, surnamed Yao and a seasoned road traveler from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, spoke enthusiastically about his spur-of-the-moment decision. He quickly set up his awning and settled in to enjoy the resort's serene surroundings.

What began as an incidental stop quickly became a destination in its own right—thanks to the resort's exceptional natural charm.

The Yi people welcome tourists by inviting them to drink homemade rice wine at the Yeyuhai National Tourist Resort in Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Tu Min)

The resort brings together three major attractions: the Yejiping plateau outdoor sports base, Yushe national forest park, and Haiping Yi ethnic resort town. In recent years, it has capitalized on its cool climate, breathtaking scenery, and distinctive ethnic heritage to roll out new and immersive tourism experiences.

To deepen visitors' cultural engagement, the resort this year launched a month-long "torch season" festival, designed to move tourists beyond casual sightseeing toward residential tourism, according to Hu Chenyi, deputy general manager of Guizhou Shuicheng Cultural Tourism (Group) Co., Ltd. During the peak summer season, the resort welcomes more than 30,000 tourist visits each day.

Here, tourists can experience the warm hospitality of the Yi people, who welcome them by inviting them to drink homemade rice wine, savor authentic local dishes, take a monorail sightseeing train, or enjoy paragliding.

The resort's growing popularity reflects Liupanshui's broader push to transform transient tourist traffic into residential tourism.

Photo shows a monorail sightseeing train at the Yeyuhai National Tourist Resort in Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Tu Min)

Known as "the Cool City of China," Liupanshui enjoys refreshing summer temperatures and snowy winters. It boasts abundant waterfalls, karst caves, forests, and gorges, while its 48 ethnic groups contribute a rich tapestry of intangible cultural heritage and unique traditions. This combination of climate, ecology, and culture forms the bedrock of the city's residential tourism industry.

In recent years, Liupanshui has worked to integrate residential tourism with other sectors while hosting signature events such as the Liupanshui Marathon and skiing competitions—further fueling the growth of its tourism sector.

A tourist experiences paragliding at the Yeyuhai National Tourist Resort in Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Tu Min)

Photo shows tourists at the Yeyuhai National Tourist Resort in Liupanshui, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Tu Min)