When the second Hunan Tourism Development Conference was about to be held in Chenzhou in 2023, a major decision was made by the city government that the Suxian Ridge Scenic Area is open to public for free from August 16, 2023. The news brought Suxian Ridge many popularity and business opportunities.

 

 

In the first month after its free opening, Suxian Ridge received 248,000 tourists and promoted tourism consumption of 1.2 million yuan, an increase of 300% and 500% year on year respectively.

 

Zhang Yong, deputy director of the scenic spot management office, is one of the witnesses to this change. 

 

“What left a deep impression was before the Chinese Lunar New Year, when the first cold wave hit in 2024, causing rain, snow and freezing weather in urban areas of Chenzhou. There were many broken branches halfway up the mountain,” said Zhang Yong.

 

He added that at that time, it was also close to the 7-day Spring Festival holiday, and many tourists from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan came to visit. Some scenic spots in the city were closed due to rain and snow weather. 

 

“If we closed the scenic spot, tourists would have one less place to enjoy the scenery in the urban areas.” 

 

To not disappoint tourists who came from afar and citizens who came to climb the mountain, 40 workers were hired to clean up branches two days before the Chinese New Year’s Eve. 

 

All staff of the scenic spot gave up their vacation and assisted in clearing ice and snow.

 

“On the first day of the first lunar month, we received about 20,000 tourists, including some tourists from Shanghai, Tianjin, Liaoning and other places. And the sightseeing bus ran up to 17 times a day, which was unimaginable in the past.” Zhang Yong was pleased that even despite such a large passenger flow, there was no falls, injuries and complaints. It ensured the safe and happy travel of tourists to the largest extent. 

 

Zhang Yong said that like Qifengdu fish rice noodles, sour radish in Suxian Ridge has now become a landmark snack that people yearn for.