Guizhou is a typical mountainous province and the local authorities are keenly focusing on tourism to accelerate economic development, protect the natural environment and preserve traditional culture.

"Guizhou is the only province in China without plains. About 92.5 percent of it comprises mountainous areas, complete with magnificent scenery and colorful culture," Sun says.

Earlier this year, the State Council issued a document that proposed Guizhou accelerate its development into an international mountain tourism destination. "That injected fresh enthusiasm," Sun says.

The province has integrated mountain tourism and summer leisure in Guiyang and Anshun, in its central and western parts, and introduced health preservation to mountain tourism in Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in the southwest.