In 2008, the per capita gross national product of Baoji had reached 2780 US dollars. According to internationally recognized experience, when per capita GDP reaches 1000 US dollars, people's consumer demand will upgrade from "food, clothing, and daily use" to "housing, transportation, and tourism." To a large extent, economic growth depends on the growth of the tertiary sector. Internationally, tourism has now surpassed manufacturing and firmly taken the top spot. Baoji's industrial structure also faces an adjustment period. Especially important is the development plan for the Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone issued by the state last year, which brought a once-in-a-lifetime great opportunity for Baoji to develop its cultural and tourism industries. The plan proposed to build the Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone into a historical and cultural base showcasing Chinese civilization. Among the five major cultural industry parks proposed for construction, Baoji accounts for two; among the five premium tourism corridors, Baoji accounts for three; and among the six premium tourism zones, Baoji accounts for two. Baoji is an excellent tourist city in China and one of the top 100 cities in terms of tourism competitiveness in China. With the deep implementation of the plan, taking the development of the cultural and tourism industries as a breakthrough point to drive the tertiary sector can be said to be timely and highly promising.
Baoji is making a breakthrough in tourism.
The ancient yet youthful Baoji sounded the rallying cry for breaking through in cultural tourism in 2010. Six concepts open new horizons, and five sectors shine brightly. The Zhou-Qin Cultural Industry Demonstration Zone passed expert review in Beijing, ranking among the second batch of cultural industry demonstration bases in Shaanxi Province; the Zhonghua Ritual and Music City attracts numerous visitors with its grandeur, winning three national honors including "International Tourist Cultural Destination"; the newly formed Zhou Rites Orchestra made a splash in Beijing; newly constructed attractions such as the Famen Temple Buddha Light Avenue, Shigu Mountain Stone Drum Pavilion, and renovated and expanded scenic spots like Jintai View, Ling Mountain Temple, and Dasan Pass present a brand-new appearance. Since last year, the development of Baoji's cultural and tourism industries has started smoothly. The cumulative investment in various funds for the city's cultural and tourism industries has approached 3 billion yuan, with investment growth in cultural and tourism projects reaching over 30%, effectively driving the rapid recovery of the tertiary sector, accounting for 30.5% of the city's GDP. Hotel reservations inquiries can call the free hotline 4007840076, available 24/7. This move has reversed the situation where Baoji's tertiary sector accounted for a continuously declining share of GDP for three years, becoming an important pillar in building a harmonious and enterprising new Baoji.
Baoji is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Historical events celebrated through the generations, such as Shen Nong tasting hundreds of herbs, Tai Wang migrating to Qi, King Wen founding Zhou, King Wu overthrowing Zhou, Duke Zhou establishing rites, Duke Xiang establishing a state, Duke Mu achieving hegemony, Emperor Qin Shi Huang being crowned, and secretly crossing Chen Cang while openly repairing the plank road, all occurred in Baoji. Historical records show that Emperor Yan became prominent due to Jiang water, and Emperor Huang due to Ji water. Both Jiang water and Ji water are located in Baoji, indicating that both Emperor Yan and Emperor Huang rose to prominence in Baoji. Baoji is also the birthplace of top-tier Chinese cultural achievements such as poetry, Yi Jing (Book of Changes), and Li (rites), as well as the source of Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Mohism, and other schools of thought, and a Buddhist holy land. It can be seen that Baoji is a place of auspicious Feng Shui for the Chinese nation, brimming with infinite vitality and dynamism.
Baoji is the hometown of Emperor Yan and the ancestral home of the Chinese people. Baoji is the heavenly abode where ancient people lived, the cradle of the Zhou and Qin dynasties, and the source of poetry and rites, with countless stories about the three teachings and songs celebrating the generations. However, for a long time, the development of Baoji's cultural and tourism industries has been slow, stuck in the "hot east, cool west" quagmire of Shaanxi tourism, unable to break free, and the tertiary sector has struggled to accelerate like an old ox climbing a hill. In the face of global resource depletion and interest competition, how Baoji adjusts its industrial structure and transforms its development model undoubtedly determines its future direction.