The Bama Tourism Promotion Conference, jointly organized by the People's Government of Bama Yao Autonomous County in Guangxi and Guangxi Shouxian International Tourism Group, was grandly held on the afternoon of January 26, 2015, at Guangzhou Sunshine Hotel. Attending leaders included: Mr. Feng Haifeng, Member of the Standing Committee of Hechi Municipal Party Committee of Guangxi and Secretary of Bama County Party Committee; Mr. Xiong Chaofu, Director of the Standing Committee of Bama County People's Congress; Mr. Tan Zhongmin, Deputy Director of the Bama Longevity Health International Tourism Zone Management Committee of Hechi City, Guangxi; Mr. Qin Yuanwen, Director of the Bama County Party Committee Office; Ms. Huang Yanfei, Director of the Bama County Tourism Development Commission; as well as Mr. Li Meixiao, Chairman of Shouxian Group, and Mr. Deng Kang, General Manager of Renshou Cultural Source. Guangzhou guests in attendance included: Mr. Hu Guohua, Deputy Minister of the Propaganda Department of Guangdong Province; General Hong Shaohu, former Commander-in-Chief of the Guangdong Provincial Armed Police; Ms. Su Jinzhong, former Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress; Mr. Tang Shirong, former Deputy Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Tourism Bureau; Ms. Li Ruolan, Head of the Market Division of the Guangzhou Municipal Tourism Bureau; Mr. He Wenke, from the Market Division of the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Bureau; Mr. Li Fan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Association; as well as multiple executives from Shouxian Group, numerous guests from the Guangzhou tourism industry, clients, and media reporters, totaling over 200 people.
Bama has two 4A-level scenic spots: the Crystal Palace Scenic Area and the Panlong River Scenic Area. The Crystal Palace karst cave, located in Daluo Village of Bama, is part of the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark and is best known for its rare non-gravity water sedimentary formations such as stone fluff, helictites, frost flowers, and crystal flowers. Stepping into the Crystal Palace feels like entering a naturally frozen ice sculpture world. The October 2011 issue of China National Geography’s karst special edition praised it as the most beautiful among more than 100 opened tourist caves in China. Adjacent to the Crystal Palace is Bama’s iconic “Fate River,” whose winding and twisting natural course resembles an elegant cursive script character “命” (fate). The Panlong River Scenic Area consists of Shuibotianchuang (Water Wave Sky Window), Panlong Fairyland Drifting, Baimo Cave, and Cifu Lake. Shuibotianchuang, also known as Bainiaoyan (Hundred Birds’ Cave), is the core attraction of the scenic area. The water cave features rippling reflections, picturesque skylights, cool air, and emerald-green water. Boating through it feels like entering a three-day-and-three-night dream. Baimo Cave comprises a front cave, a sinkhole, and a rear cave. Inside and outside the cave, a large number of health-seeking “migratory birds” gather daily. Various wellness exercises are performed in diverse forms, and there is a joyful atmosphere of mutual learning and interaction, earning it the reputation of a “sacred site for longevity and wellness.” The legendary Baimo Holy Water is actually a spring outlet. Despite mixed media reports and ongoing debates about its efficacy, Bama’s “migratory residents” come daily to draw its water, unanimously showering it with praise.
At the promotion conference, Guangxi Shouxian International Tourism Group signed strategic cooperation agreements with Guangzhilv, Guangdong Youth Travel Service, Youyou Holidays, Zhaoqing Duanguo Travel Agency, Guilin Holidays, and Shenzhen Guolv Xinjingjie. Attendees responded enthusiastically, and after the meeting, many inquired and expressed interest in organizing group tours to Bama.
The promotion conference venue displayed a variety of Bama local specialties and a large number of photography works. The drinking water provided at the conference was Bama water.