According to the Tourism Department of Wulingyuan District in Zhangjiajie, Wulingyuan Scenic Area received 5,000 European and American tourists from January to May, a two-fold increase from a year earlier.
Since the view of "floating mountains" in the global blockbuster film Avatar was shot in Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie held a series of activities and revived the depressed European and American markets in 2010. Media groups from Europe and North America like NBC and RAI highly publicized the splendid scenery of the scenic area, bringing numerous tourists and travelling salesmen from Europe and North America.
A series of extreme challenge activities were successively launched in Zhangjiajie to promote the city abroad, including Breath-holding Contest in Baofeng Lake, Wingsuit Flying Contest in Tianmen Mountain and Spideman Climbs Highest Outdoor Elevator. The city's reputation is also enhanced via its culture soft power embodied in the past two sessions of International Country Music Week, attracting many famous Western bands and creating plentiful celestial music. Mark Levine, hailed as father of American modern country music, visited Zhangjiajie for five times within five years and volunteered to promote the city by composing songs and writing essays.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Source: enghunan.gov.cn