So far, a total 32 leading domestic IT companies have bid to build the computer system, said Chen Feng, chief engineer with the administration of the mountain, which was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 1999.

According to Chen, computer management will be introduced into ticket selling, booking and relevant office work to make sure that an appropriate number of tourists visit the popular Chinese tourist site every day.

With a computer monitoring system, the control center will be able to watch the main areas of the mountain with monitors, making it easier to control the flow of tourists and deal with emergencies.

The system, with a total investment of 31.2 million yuan (US$3.77 million), will include a 35-km-long wire network, of which 20 kilometers will be built initially, Chen said.

The system is a key part of the provincial government's plan to keep the mountain as a special tourist site separate from nearby areas.

Also, about 150 eco-friendly vehicles, meeting the Europe III tail gas emission level, will be bought to carry tourists in the mountain, local officials said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2003)