A surge in gold prices has drawn tourists to China's old mining towns, where they can experience prospecting for themselves. Such experiential attractions could provide a lifeline for these regions.

Zhaoyuan

Zhouyan, known as China's gold capital, is experiencing a surge in tourism as gold prices reach record highs, attracting visitors eager to try gold panning and explore the region's thousand-year-old mining heritage. Policymakers are encouraging towns like Zhouyan to diversify their economies by developing experiential attractions, reducing reliance on finite gold resources.

Despite the tourism boom, local businesses face challenges due to high gold prices and the recent removal of a tax rebate on gold jewelry, which has dampened consumer sentiment and led to store closures. The region's future may depend on its ability to further diversify beyond precious metals.

Gold rush tourism revives China's mines

Hunched by a stream with scenic surroundings, Weiwei sifts through sediment in her pan patiently in a swirling motion. She's keeping her eyes peeled for tiny glittering specks of treasure. In the process of sifting for gold from the sand, you'll experience this joy, a joy that stems from discovering treasure within the most ordinary sands of grain. As gold prices have surged to record levels over the past year, topping $4,000 per troy ounce, tourists have been flocking to Zhouyan, also known as China's gold capital. The mining industry here is more than 1,000 years old, and to make the most of its heritage, the region integrates industry and tourism to offer an immersive experience. During this year's National Golden Week holidays, Chinese media reported that it received an average of nearly 40,000 visits per day. Policymakers are encouraging old mining towns like Zhouyan to develop experiential attractions so that they're less reliant on resource extraction. After all, gold is a finite resource that will eventually be mined out. Guo Jianwen is a calligrapher and sells scrolls with traditional Chinese blessings. Historically, gold and the color yellow was reserved for China's imperial family. Reports say China is also courting countries to store more bullion within its borders to boost its position in the global financial system as part of efforts to establish a world that's less dependent on U.S. dollars. Gold has always been cherished by people. Everyone adores gold and is eager to pursue it. We welcome friends from all corners of the world to our region. In the center of Zhouyan is one of northern China's largest gold and silver distribution malls. Retailers line its multiple floors selling bullion bars as well as intricate jewelry and ornaments, While investors may be willing to chase surging gold prices, some businesses here are struggling. Last month, China scrapped a long-standing tax rebate on gold jewelry. The move is expected to boost government revenue at a time when a sluggish real estate sector and weak economic growth are weighing on public coffers. High prices definitely impact sales. It's simply too expensive. She said she intended to buy more, but now fewer people are considering purchases. Weak consumer sentiment hasn't helped either. Thousands of retailers across the country have shuttered in the past year. For Zhouyan, the future may depend on a new kind of fortune, a diversified economy beyond precious metal.

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