A mountain city's peak appeal

A glimpse of the Tiankeng scenic spot in Chongqing's Wulong county where Transformers 4 was shot.[Photo by Yang Feiyue/ China Daily]

Chongqing's allure was demonstrated when it edged out four other domestic cities to host the Beijing-based World Tourism Cities Federation's annual summit in late September.

It signed a strategic memorandum of understanding at the summit to strengthen cooperation with more than 170 federation members.

It will strive for more than 5 million inbound visits in five years, says Liu Qi, head of Chongqing's tourism bureau.

About 40 tourism projects were signed at the tourism summit, involving 80 billion yuan ($12 billion).

Local authorities plan to integrate culture, agriculture, sports and medical elements into travel.

Chongqing's tourism bureau has signed deals with Airbnb and tourism authorities from home and abroad.

"Airbnb will use its resources to promote quality tourism, especially accommodation, among international tourists," says An Li, head of Airbnb in China.

The platform will also pick certain sites to promote worldwide and offer private training to local hotels to better serve international travelers, An says.

Chongqing will also talk with Washington DC's tourism administration about training and promoting assets, says Liu.

He points out it'll be easier for locals to visit the US capital.

Over 282 million tourists visited Chongqing over this year's first eight months, up 15 percent over the same period last year. Tourism income hit 166.5 billion yuan, up 16 percent.

Inbound tourists paid 1.9 million visits, up over 12 percent. They contributed more than $1 billion to tourism income, up 13 percent.

Last year, Chongqing received 100,000 visits from the United States. Liu says the number is expected to double in five years.

The municipality has also launched cruise, culture and ecotourism routes.

It does indeed seem ready to accept more travelers from more places who seek more in more places, Liu says.

If you go

One-day tour

Yubei Yuelai-International Expo Center-Central Park-Garden Expo Park-Great Hall of the People of Chongqing-Three Gorges Museum

Two-day tour

Huguang Guild Hall-Diaoyu Fortress-Brilliant Hot Spring of Beibei-Pianyan ancient town-Jindao Canyon

Three-day tour

Eling Park-Great Hall of the People of Chongqing-Three Gorges Museum-Changshou Lake-Fuling Baiheliang-Fengdu Ghost City