Xiangxi prefecture celebrates 60th anniversary

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Hunan province will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding on Sept 20.

A number of exhibitions and events will be held in Beijing and the prefecture, including song and dance performances and an opening ceremony for a new museum.

The prefecture government said it aims to become a world tourism destination.

Endowed with rich natural resources, Xiangxi has attracted tens of millions of visitors and investors in the past few decades, which has bolstered its culture and tourism industries. In the first six months of last year, the prefecture received 20.38 million tourists, reaping a revenue of 14 billion yuan ($2.1 billion).

The prefecture's GDP reached 55.17 billion yuan last year, and average incomes of urban and rural residents were 20,810 yuan and 7,413 yuan respectively, according to official data released by the prefecture government.

Cheng Si contributed to this story.