ABOUT 100 newspaper publishers and editors from around the country went on a tour of the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China’s Guizhou Province last week to cover the local governments’ effort of developing rural tourism to alleviate poverty.

The effort is proved to be a success in that it is characterized by the conservation of small settlements of distinct Miao and Dong customs and traditions dating back hundreds of years and the protection of the idyllic natural environment while bringing jobs and wealth to the local people.

Located in southeastern Guizhou, Qiandongnan is one of the 30 autonomous ethic minority prefectures in China and home to 4.77 million people of 47 ethnicities, with Miao and Dong people accounting for 43 percent and 30 percent, respectively, of the whole population. (Wang Haiyang)