Xuecun Ecotourism Site

Xuecun Ecotourism Site

A Featured Rural Tourism Destination in Ninghe County — Xuecun Ecotourism Site

(I) Basic Information

Xuecun is located in the southeast of Banqiao Town, Ninghe County. It currently has 1,500 mu of arable land, 100 mu of residential area, 70 households, and 243 residents. The village has built 38 protected-area greenhouses, 100 improved medium-sized sheds, 3 agricultural motor-pumped wells, and one pumping station, which fully ensure that all farmland can be irrigated during droughts and drained during floods. A rural road runs across the village, and farmland paths extend in all directions, lined with shady trees on both sides. There are no pollution sources around the village. It has been recognized by municipal authorities as a pollution-free vegetable production base and a municipal-level ecological village, offering excellent advantages for developing sightseeing and tourism attractions.

(II) Completed Projects

As of now, the following projects have been completed at this tourism site:

1. Starting from the winter of 2007, 300 mu of land were prepared for building vegetable greenhouses, 38 ditches were cleared, and 270,000 cubic meters of earthwork were carried out, with a total investment of 310,000 yuan.

2. Road greening has been completed along 4,600 meters, with 2,400 trees planted, including species such as Dragon Claw Locust and Holly.

3. For landscaping within the park roads, 1,200 low-growing evergreen plants have been selected and planted.

4. To beautify and landscape the greenhouse area, 200 apricot and plum trees have been planted around it.

5. 50,000 fry of grass carp, common carp, and crucian carp have been released in the main channels around the village to prepare for fishing activities.

6. All lotus flowers for ornamental purposes have been planted.

(III) Ongoing Projects

1. By the end of May, hardware facilities for the fishing area such as fishing platforms and sun umbrellas will be completed, 100 meters of road will be paved with bricks (road width 4 meters), and several guide signs will be installed, with a planned investment of 30,000 yuan.

2. In May, a parking lot covering 1,000 square meters and a public toilet will be constructed. The site has been selected between the new and old greenhouse areas, with a planned investment of 30,000 yuan, to be completed by the end of May.

3. A specialty agricultural products shopping spot will be established.

4. Planting varieties will be further optimized to prepare for agritainment combining fruit picking and sightseeing.

5. With a planned investment of 50,000 yuan, the hardware and environmental facilities for fishing will be further improved to provide tourists with a pleasant and comfortable tourism environment.

All the aforementioned ongoing projects are expected to be completed by July 30, 2008.

The development of this site will boost the growth of tourism in Hedong, Ninghe County, and can be integrated into a tourism route together with Guida Holiday Resort, Tianzun Pavilion, and Banqiao Forest Park, making it a highlight that will drive economic development in the region.