Tourists visit Tongren Grand Canyon in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province on August 23, 2025. /Photo provided to CGTN

Tourists visit Tongren Grand Canyon in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province on August 23, 2025. /Photo provided to CGTN

In recent years, Tongren Grand Canyon in southwest China's Guizhou Province has been writing a new chapter of human-nature harmony by deeply combining ecological protection and sustainable tourism.

The canyon lies in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, which has focused on ecological restoration through the Wuling Mountain Region Integrated Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Project, which covers mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and sandy areas. This large program has restored wildlife habitats and expanded living spaces for local animals. As a result, the country's second-class protected species like mandarin ducks and golden pheasants have stable populations, while visitors enjoy an immersive experience in a mostly untouched natural setting.

A tourist experiences a high-altitude zip-line at Tongren Grand Canyon in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province on August 23, 2025. /Photo provided to CGTN

Tourists visit Tongren Grand Canyon in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province on August 23, 2025. /Photo provided to CGTN

Using its ecological strengths, the scenic area has turned natural resources into quality tourism products with four core offerings: canyon tours, white-water rafting, high-altitude zip-lines and Via Ferrata climbing. This has turned ecological advantages into real economic benefits. Official data from August 2025 shows tourist numbers rose nearly 20 percent year-on-year, with over 60 percent being non-locals – proving growing popularity beyond the region.

Tourists visit Tongren Grand Canyon in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province on August 23, 2025. /Photo provided to CGTN

Tourists visit Tongren Grand Canyon in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Tongren, southwest China's Guizhou Province on August 23, 2025. /Photo provided to CGTN

The tourism boom has improved nearby residents' lives. Locals now earn over 10,000 yuan (around 1,402 USD) more per year by running homestays and selling local specialties.