Guilin, one of the most popular tourism destinations in China, hosted 5.42 million tourists in the first half of the year, an all-time high. 

Information from the tourism bureau of the city said the number of the tourists was 140,500 more than the record high in January-June 2002, and tourism revenue in the same period shot up to 2.48 billion yuan (US$299 million), 152 million yuan (US$18.31 million) more than the January-June 2002 record high.

Of the total, overseas tourists made up 422,300 from January to June, up 35.79 percent, contributing 789 million yuan (US$95.06 million) in tourism revenue.

Guilin, which falls under jurisdiction of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has a history of over 2,000 years. It's well known for its green mountains, clear water and strangely-shaped stone formations.

Because of the adverse influence on economy as a result of outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in some Chinese cities in 2003, good economic performances in 2002 are often used as yardsticks, in comparison, to prove economic success of present time.

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2005)