Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county recently passed the review for China's natural oxygen bar of 2023 and won the title once again.

Huanjiang is blessed with an abundance of forest resources, with a forest coverage rate of 78.7 percent, ranking third in Guangxi. The average concentration of negative oxygen ions exceeds 2,400 ions per cubic centimeter, and the rate of excellent air quality exceeds 98 percent.

Adhering to the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," Huanjiang is prioritizing the environment and sustainable development. It has invested 430 million yuan ($59 million) in the utilization of its forest, agricultural and ethnic resources to create the Xiumei Maonan and Guili Maonan rural complexes, which have driven rural tourism development, provided employment opportunities, and promoted rural vitalization.

In addition, it leverages its geographical advantages to boost the development of the "five fragrance food industry", namely fragrant beef, pig, rice, duck, and mushroom, and promote them around the country. It is also developing local sporting events, especially the Fenlong Festival's dragon boat race, combining them with the intangible cultural elements of ethnic minorities.

To date, Huanjiang has developed three national 4A-level tourist attractions and three five-star rural tourism areas, with a significant increase in the number of tourists and amount of consumption, allowing the local population to benefit from tourism.

Huanjiang Mulun Karst scenic spot. [Photo/Hechi Daily]