A tourism district with an Italian flavor in Tianjin was honored as a National AAA tourist area recently.

The area, located at Hebei District, was occupied by the Italian government during 1901 and 1945, and covers a building area of 28.45 ha.

This is the only and largest best-preserved building complex with an Italian flavor of its kind all over Asia, which includes 137 buildings such as theatres, schools, churches and municipal offices.

Beginning this year, the Hebei district government aims to build the area into a national tourist area. They started to improve the services in the respects of communications, travel consultation, travel safety, environmental sanitation, post and telecommunications, shopping and comprehensive management.

They are also cooperating with tourism bureaus in over ten provinces and regions.

Other measures include a Haihe Tour and a one-day tour around Hebei.

For the AAA tourist areas, the National Tourist Area Quality Grade Evaluation Commission shall authorize all provincial tourist area quality grade evaluation commissions to take charge of the evaluation. The provincial tourist area quality grade evaluation commissions may further authorize tourist area quality grade evaluation commissions at the prefecture or city level where appropriate.

The responsible quality grade evaluation commissions will take Classification and Appraisal of Scenic Spots' Quality Level (GB/ T17775 - 1995) as the appraising criteria, with the total score of 1000. Those appraised over 750 will be honored as National AAA Tourist Area.

Another two National AAA tourist areas in Tianjin are Ling Qichao Memorial Hall and the Juewu (meaning awakening ) association.

Ling Qichao Memorial Hall

The Juewu association

By Xie Fang