The History and Culture of Yaoshan-Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area in Lushan County, Pingdingshan

Since it was officially opened to the outside world in May, 1993, after more than ten years of development and construction, Yaoshan Scenic Area has gradually improved its infrastructure, obviously improved its service quality, and received an increasing number of tourists, which has achieved good economic and social benefits, and formed three major tourism brands of "You Yaoshan, Worship Buddha and Bathing Hot Springs". In May, 22, the scenic spot was approved and announced as a national scenic spot by the State Council. In July, 23, it was honored as a national 4A-level tourist spot. In November, 29, it passed the ISO91 international quality management system certification, and was repeatedly rated as "Top Ten Scenic Spots", "Top Ten Tourist Places" and "The Most Beautiful Place in Henan Province". Since 26, according to the national 5A-level tourist area standard, the scenic spot has accelerated the pace of upgrading, invested huge sums of money to actively build the brand of Yaoshan Giant Buddha scenic spot, and strived to move towards a boutique scenic spot, and the appearance of the scenic spot has changed obviously. In 27, it received 1.5 million tourists, achieving a direct income of 132 million yuan; in 28, it received 1.16 million tourists, achieving a direct income of 157 million yuan; in 21, it reached the highest level in history, receiving 1.89 million tourists and achieving a direct income of 52 million yuan. On May 18th, 211, the National Tourism Administration officially approved Yaoshan-Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area as a national 5A-level tourist attraction. 5A-level tourist attractions are the highest honor in China, and also the highest standard for evaluating the quality of tourist attractions. The evaluation of 5A-level tourist attractions mainly includes three selection rules: service quality and environmental quality, landscape quality and tourists' opinions. The approval of the 5A-level tourist attraction this time makes Yaoshan-Zhongyuan Giant Buddha tourist attraction the first 5A-level tourist attraction in Pingdingshan.

The successful establishment of Yaoshan-Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area as a national 5A-level tourist attraction marks that Yaoshan-Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has entered the ranks of the top 1 scenic spots in China and national fine tourist attractions, but honor is not the end, but the starting point. Lushan tourism will take Yaoshan-Zhongyuan Giant Buddha Scenic Area as a new starting point, consolidate its achievements, enhance its taste, further increase its construction investment and improve its infrastructure. Strengthen the national and provincial media marketing and publicity, and strive to build Yaoshan-the Giant Buddha of the Central Plains into a domestic and world-famous boutique scenic spot through two to three years' efforts, and build Lushan into a well-known leisure and holiday destination at home and abroad.