Danxia Mountain

Danxia Landform of China" is the general name of a Serial Nomination for World Natural Heritage.

More Chinese scenic spots are vying for World Heritage status. The Five Heavenly Lakes in Heilongjiang and West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province have become the latest to bid for UNESCO recognition. Their applications will be assessed next year. To date, China boasts forty World Heritage sites. While "heritage" enthusiasm seems to be on the rise, experts caution that the commercial motivation behind the applications could undermine the honor.

The World Heritage Committee decided on August 1st this year to include China's Danxia Landforms on the World Heritage List at its 34th meeting.

The recognition has proved a shot in the arm for local tourism near Danxia mountain in Guangdong Province. During this year's May Day holiday droves of visitors flocked in, up 70% from the same period last year.

Local farmers are capitalizing on the bonanza by turning their houses into holiday inns. And they are popular.

Holiday inn owner, said, "All the rooms in my family hotel are almost full every day. Visitors arrive from different places, including Japan and South Korea. "