Baoji is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Time-honored historical events, such as Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs, Taibo migrating to Qi, King Wen establishing Zhou, King Wu overthrowing King Zhou, Duke Zhou establishing rites, Duke Xiang founding a country, Duke Mu achieving hegemony, Qin Shi Huang being crowned, and building plank roads while secretly crossing Chen’s warehouse, all took place in Baoji. Historical records state that Emperor Yan became prominent with Jiang River, and Emperor Huang became prominent with Ji River. Both Jiang and Ji rivers are located in Baoji, which shows that both Emperors Yan and Huang rose from Baoji. Baoji is also the birthplace of top-tier Chinese cultural achievements such as "The Book of Songs", "The Book of Changes", and "The Book of Rites". It is the source of various philosophical schools including Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Mohism, and a Buddhist holy land. Therefore, Baoji is a feng shui treasure land for the Chinese nation, containing infinite vitality and dynamism. In 2008, Baoji's per capita gross national product reached $2,780. According to internationally recognized experience, when per capita GDP reaches $1,000, consumer demands shift from "eating, wearing, using" to "living, traveling, touring." Economic growth largely depends on the growth of the tertiary sector. Internationally, tourism has surpassed manufacturing and firmly taken the first place. Baoji's industrial structure also faces an adjustment period. More importantly, last year's national issuance of the Guan Tian economic zone development plan brought a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Baoji to develop its cultural tourism industry. The plan proposes to build the Guan Tian economic zone into a historical and cultural base showcasing Chinese civilization. Among the five major cultural industry parks proposed for construction, Baoji occupies two; among the five high-quality tourism corridors, Baoji occupies three; among the six high-quality tourism areas, Baoji occupies two. Baoji is an excellent Chinese tourist city and one of the top 100 competitive tourist cities in China. With the deep implementation of the plan, taking the development of cultural tourism industry as the breakthrough point to drive the tertiary sector is timely and promising.
Baoji is the hometown of Emperor Yan, the ancestral home of the Hu people, a paradise for early inhabitants, the cradle of Zhou and Qin dynasties, and the source of poetry and propriety. It has countless stories about the three teachings and endless songs praising it through generations. However, for a long time, Baoji's cultural tourism industry has developed slowly, stuck in the strange circle of "hot east, cool west" in Shaanxi tourism, making it difficult for the tertiary sector to accelerate like an old ox climbing a hill. Facing global resource depletion and interest competition, how Baoji adjusts its industrial structure and shifts its development model undoubtedly determines its future direction.
Baoji Breakthrough in Tourism
The ancient yet youthful Baoji sounded the charge to break through in the cultural tourism industry in 2010. Six new concepts opened up new horizons, and five sectors shone brightly. The Zhou-Qin Cultural Industry Demonstration Zone passed expert review in Beijing and entered the second batch of Shaanxi Province's cultural industry demonstration bases. The majestic Zhonghua Leye City attracted crowds of tourists and won three national honors, including "International Tourist Cultural Destination." The newly formed Zhou Li Orchestra made a stunning debut in Beijing, and newly constructed attractions such as the Famen Temple Buddha Light Avenue, Shigu Mountain Drum Pavilion, as well as renovated and expanded scenic spots like Jintai View, Ling Mountain Temple, and Dasan Pass presented a fresh look. Since last year, the development of Baoji's cultural tourism industry has started smoothly. The total investment in the city's cultural tourism industry has approached 3 billion yuan, with investment growth rates in cultural tourism projects exceeding 30%, effectively driving the rapid recovery of the tertiary sector. It now accounts for 30.5% of the city's GDP, reversing the continuous decline over the past three years and becoming an important pillar for building a harmonious and enterprising new Baoji.