With the consent of the State Council, National Development and Reform Commission officials have issued an "approval for the construction and development plan of South Anhui International Cultural Tourism Demonstration Area".

This is the second major strategic planning at national level of Huangshan, following a previous successful "comprehensive plan on water and ecological environment protection of Qiandao Lake and Xin'an River upstream".

The plan clearly points out that Anhui International Cultural Tourism Demonstration Area has an advantageous location, a good ecological environment, a rich cultural heritage, and rich tourism resources, making it a distinctive cultural tourism zone and giving it a significant impact on the country, if not the world.

Planning and construction of an international cultural tourism demonstration area in south Anhui, is helping accelerate the transformation of an economic development projcet, promoting traditional excellent cultural heritage and innovation, and consolidating an important ecological barrier in east China.

What's more, building a world-class tourism destination offers a window to show off the beauty of China. The plan's implementation is a major initiative to deepen the overall strategy of regional development, and vigorously implement the strategy of the development of the central region.

To further encourage innovation, it's necessary to focus greater emphasis on cultural development and ecological protection, urban and rural co-ordination and regional interaction, while improving people's livelihoods and social management innovation, striving to promote the integration of ecology, culture, tourism, and technology, and to sustain a healthy development of the economy and society in the South Anhui International Cultural Tourism Demonstration Area.

South Anhui International Cultural Tourism Demonstration Zone covers seven cities, including Huangshan, Chizhou, Xuancheng, Ma'anshan, Wuhu, Tongling, and Anqing. The land area is 57,000 square kilometers, with Huangshan, Chizhou, and parts of the counties of Xuancheng and Anqing forming its core areas. The planning period lasts from 2013 to 2020, but may be extended to 2030.