Tourists will be denied access to the Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) scenic spot in southwest China's Sichuan Province from December 1 to March 31, Huanglong scenic spot management committee said Wednesday.
Included in the World Heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Huanglong is the only world heritage site in China to close its tourism area during the winter.
Located in northwest Sichuan, Huanglong is famous for its beautiful landscape including the clean and clear lakes, snow-covered mountains, valleys and natural forests.
Huanglong first began to close the tourism area in 2001, greatly improving the environment.
Huanglong will be subject to an estimated economic loss of 5 million yuan (US$600,000) because of the closure.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2002)
