China expands Genghis Khan's tomb area to promote tourism
( 2003-10-10 15:45) (Xinhua)
China is renovating the tomb
compound of Genghis Khan, expanding it from merely 0.55 square kilometers to 80
square kilometers to create a panoramic view of the Mongolian emperor's lifetime
and promote local tourism.
The expansion of the tomb compound, in Ordos City in the west of the Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region, will cost a total investment of 200 million yuan (24
million US dollars), and the first phase of construction will finish before the
end of the year.
According to the Inner Mongolian Donglian Group, investor of the project,
major buildings have been so far basically completed, including a 2,000-sq-m
yurt, the Genghis Khan center square, and sculptures of Genghis Khan and his
warriors.
The Asian-European Square and a Mongolian history and culture museum are
still under construction, according to Hou Yushe, president of the Donglian
Group. He said the second phase of construction will include a fire balloon
club, a Mongolian folk- custom village and a spring scenic spot in the tomb
area.
Qian Shimin, director of the administration committee of the Genghis Khan
tomb area, said the tomb area is not only a sacred place for Mongolians to pay
tribute to Genghis Khan, but is also becoming a unique tourist attraction with
beautiful grassland scenery and Mongolian folk culture.
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