A panel discussion on how to promote Oujiang River's tourism resources is held in Lishui's Longquan, East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Connecting poetry culture with natural landscape is a good way to promote the picturesque scenery in Oujiang River basin," Yan Guotai, a professor of Tongji University said at a panel discussion held in Lishui's Longquan, East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 11.

Zhejiang has set a goal to build a "big garden" with scenic spots across the province in the coming years. Exploring the natural landscape and its poetry culture alongside the Oujiang River is a necessary part of the project.

Oujiang River, the second largest river in Zhejiang province, originates from Longquan county and flows through eight cities including Wenzhou city and Lishui city.

It boasts an extensive history of poetic culture. Xie Lingyun (420-581), a famous poet, who was the originator of the Chinese ancient landscape poetry style, created many a masterpiece in the Oujiang River basin for its spectacular landscape.

A bird's-eye view of Zhangyanhou village in Longquan,the hometown of Ye Shaoweng. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Historical stories in a scenic spot are more attractive for visitors," said You Xiaohua, a senior guide of a travel agency, "in terms of visitors, they prefer to get to know about its history and culture."

Zhangyanhou village in Longquan is the hometown of Ye Shaoweng, a landscape poet in Song Dynasty (420-479), who wrote the famous lines: "Spring's colors fill the garden but cannot all be contained; for one spray of red almound-blossom peeps out from the wall."

Lin Weixing, the director of Zhejiang Tourism Promotion Center also expressed his ideas on how to promote scenic spots alongside Oujiang River." In the big data era, we should integrate and upgrade the tourism resources and build up its special tourism brands.”

Furthermore, it is expected to unite the attractions of Longquan, a city famed for its celadon and sword, Qingtian county, known for its stone carving, Lucheng, an area boasting picturesque scenery and other attractions in Wenzhou and Lishui city to offer visitors a broad and diverse tourism experience. 

Longquan celadon artworks are on display. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]