Translated from here: http://house.chinadaily.com.cn/2014-10/24/content_18798206.htm

Further info on the development in this government site: http://english.lf.gov.cn/html/abtlf/1024.html

Editors note:

This story was selected because it highlights the crux of development in China; on one hand the piece states the desire for clean air and access to forests but it combines that with a massive construction project that impacts the natural setting originally sought. Either way its important that the Chinese are looking to get back into the natural environment and away from the pollution of their cities – this article specifically references the pollution levels, oxygen levels and level of forestation in the area. What do you think? Comment below.

The plans for Hebei’s Yongqing International Indoor Ski Slope were successfully signed off in Febuary 2009, and it is now being reported that construction will get underway at the end of October 2014.

The project is adjoined to the “Mr Parker Villa Development”, located in Yongqing County’s Han Village Beijing-Tianjin tourism and leisure development area, to the north of  its close neighbour, the ShouDu Boundless Forest Park.  The project represents a US$430 million development stretching over 533km², comprised of 3 distinct sections:

1: The world’s largest indoor ski slope

2: A space station simulator as well as an accompanying hot spring spa and hotel

3: An adjoined business centre, convention centre and other ancillary facilities

The planned construction timescale is between 18 and 22 months.

In the wake of the Dahongmen relocation (translator’s note – a forced exodus of up to 1000 businesses from the Dahongmen region), as well as the creation of new village planning regulations, Yongqing’s land value is expected to rise rapidly, and after a short while become a hotspot for Beijingers looking to establish new businesses in the vicinity to the capital.  While a lot of people are currently keeping an eye on prices in the Langfang / Yongqing  district, at the same time there is still concern regarding the area’s infrastructure plans.  One of the aims behind building Yongqing International Indoor Ski Slope is to spur on development in the region, with the idea that it will become a focal point for business development in combination with the existing Beijing section of the Bejing to Taipei Expressway, which has already been open to traffic for two years.  This convenient, high-speed link gives Yongqing residents direct access to central Beijing in under 30minutes, making the successful completion of the Yongqing District projects considerably more likely.

Through visits to Yongqing District’s construction sites, our reporter was able to confirm that the Parker Villas are fortunate to feature their own hot springs, plentiful secluded forested areas and the comprehensive leisure facilities and developments necessary for attracting the attention of first time buyers and prospective new business owners.  Parker Villas’ neighbour, Boundless Forest Park, located just a little way along LangBa Road  boasts 70% forest coverage, extremely high natural oxygen levels and PM2.5 levels far lower than nearby Beijing.  With natural springs, large private balconies, and access to spring waters containing mineral elements beneficial to human health, residents will be able to profit from a natural lifestyle sure to bring about good health and happiness.  Furthermore, many of the units for sale take into consideration owners’ future parenting and retirement needs, placing great value on the benefits of living in such a wondrous natural hot spring environment.  Residents will be able to enjoy full use of the facilities, enjoying the proven scientific benefits to living standards provided by following a healthy lifestyle.

According to the brochure, these European style buildings combine 360º natural surroundings, convenient access to hot springs and quality wooden decking, all of which blends seamlessly into the natural landscapes and intimate courtyard atmosphere.  The result is said to be the ideal environment in which to spend a holiday or to enjoy countryside living.

Industry sources believe that as Yongqing District continues to make improvements to local life, business and communications infrastructure, land values will rise considerably, and that the Parker Villas are well placed to benefit from this.

该项目毗邻帕克先生的别墅，位于永清县韩村镇京津旅游休闲度假区内，其北侧紧邻首督大千世界森林公园。项目总投资4.3亿美元，占地800亩，包括三个部分：建设国际最大的室内滑雪场、模拟宇宙空间站以及与之配套的温泉度假酒店、商务中心、会展中心等附属设施。计划建设工期为18至22个月。

永清曾经随着大红门、“动批”的搬迁以及打造新亦庄的政策规划，区域价值急速升温，一时间成为北京人群置业的热点区域。很多人看好廊坊永清区域价值的同时，也有些人担忧这里的生活配套。永清国际室内滑雪场项目的建设，成为带动区域生活、商务配套等最直接的动力引擎，加之京台高速北京段两年后通车，交通的便利将人们在永清的生活直接纳入北京30分钟生活圈，那是，永清区域的楼盘作为纯刚需产品有望变成可能。

通过走访永清区域楼盘，记者发现帕克先生的别墅依托其独有的温泉、森林资源以及丰富的休闲度假配套设施受到更多“新刚需”置业客群的关注。帕克先生的别墅紧邻大千世界森林公园，所在的廊霸路沿线拥有70%的林木覆盖率，空气中负氧离子含量极为丰富，PM2.5值远远低于北京。天然温泉入户，露台庭院双私汤，温泉水富含多种对人体有益的微量元素，生活之余，随时体验温泉养生带来的健康与乐趣。而且不少购房者都考虑到父母日后养老的问题，对居住环境和养生温泉自然更为看重。家门口的健康中心，也可以为业主提供更科学、更合理、更规范的养生指导。

从产品设计来说，三重庭院、360度融景，欧式景亭、温泉泡池，木质平台多重景致叠影，自然景观与庭院景观交互融合，构造闲逸美好的绝佳度假生活空间。

Translated from: http://www.quhuaxue.com/thread-2661-1-1.html

本帖最后由 万龙单板 于 2013-1-14 10:21 编辑

According to the company contracted to construct the new Zhangyeqi International Ski Resort, the formal opening ceremony for the resort will be held on 19th Jan 2013, during which the first stage of the ski resort will be tested by skiers.

Zhangyeqi is located on Xiniumao Mountain, in Gansu’s Sunan County in the vicinity of Zhangye city, in the heartlands of China’s only ethnic Yugur community.  At around 70km distance from the city, the average winter temperature varies between -15ºC to -20ºC, with a snowy season lasting approximately 5 months.  The average slope gradient is 24-26º.  The construction is due to be completed in three phases, with a total investment of over 150,000,000RMB (€20,000,000 / $24,500,00 / £15,000,000).  Around 50,000,000RMB (€6,600,000 / $8,100,000 / £5,200,000)  has been spent on the first stage, and trial operations will commence mid-January 2013.  The resort is funded by investments from the Jinyuan Investment Company, part of the Zhangye City Municipality, the Gansu Qilian Mountain Investment Company and the Beijing Oulang International Landscape Design company.  These companies have created a new, combined development, construction and management company to oversee operations.

Their plan is to start locally, then expand firstly throughout the province, before attracting attention from all of China, with the ultimate aim of becoming an international destination.  This plan hinges on excellent starting resources, before taking steps to employ Beijing and Heilongjiang based geographic specialists to continue with local planning and surveys, as well as commissioning the Beijing based Oulang Landscaping Firm to create detailed plans.  The end result will be a combined skiing and high mountain leisure and tourism resort; all in all North West China’s biggest snow sports destination.  The project’s first stage has already resulted in excellent infrastructure, consisting of 4 slopes with a combined length of over 600m.  These include dedicated beginners and intermediate level pistes, a snow tubing piste, a childrens’ piste and magic carpets.  2 advanced snow cannon will supply snow during dry periods, while piste bashers will work to maintain conditions.  A snowmobiling area rounds off this modern collection of machinery.  Access to the slopes is regulated by an up to date card system, enabling slopeside staff to efficiently manage the crowds.

The beautiful and extensive grasslands of the LianShan mountain range offer numerous natural advantages to this development.  After the completion of the first pistes for skiers, snowmobilers and snow tubers, futher projects will get underway offering snow-based entertainment all levels of rider.  The resort can currently deal with 500 skiers per day, and by linking in other local tourist attractions, visitor engagement hours can be extended.  The end result will be to encourage even more visitors to get active and participate in outdoor activities, get excited about the ice and snow, practice their turns, or just get involved in wandering the winter landscape of western China, thereby establishing the resort as a hotspot of tourism nearby Zhangye City.  Coming into the summer season, the cable cars will continue to run to encourage sightseeing in the grasslands, hiking, horse riding and minority people related tourism, as well as general promotion of the area’s natural assets.

In order to promote snow sports and to begin to develop the region’s snow-related natural resources, the work to begin the second and third stages of the project, including all related support structures, with the aim of creating a great combined winter sports center in North West China.  Throughout 2013 the resort will begin running winter sports competitions, as well as commence the recruitment of the team of specialists required for such a project.  The aim is for skiing to become an physical activity for all of Zhangye City’s residents, to attracting praise from winter sports lovers, and to promote the wider expansion of Zhangye City’s winter tourism and cultural programs.  (Published by Zhangyebu Bureau of Finance)

据张掖祁连山国际滑雪场承建单位工作人员介绍，张掖祁连山国际滑雪场拟于2013年1月19日举行正式开业仪式，目前该滑雪场在试营业阶段。
张掖祁连山国际滑雪场位于甘肃张掖市肃南县康乐草原西牛毛山，全国唯一的少数民族裕固族自治县所在地，距离市区70公里，冬季平均气温零下15-20度，存雪期5个月左右，山道平均坡度24-26度。滑雪场项目分三期建设，规划总投资1.5亿元以上，一期工程投资5000万元左右，2013年元月中旬投入试运营。滑雪场由政府依托张掖市金苑投资有限责任公司通过融资平台招商引资，与甘肃省祁连山旅游投资公司、欧朗国际景观设计(北京)有限公司三方出资建立新公司，共同开发、建设、管理。

Oslo drops out of 2022 winter Olympics bid leaving Beijing, China and Almaty, Kazakhstan as the remaining options for the games. Debates over the structure of the IOC, human rights, corruption, democracy, environment and snow conditions will continue but one thing in certain: the fact that Beijing has a 50/50 shot will drive snow sports hype in China this winter. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/01/us-olympics-winter-norway-idUSKCN0HQ4QE20141001

In season 7 episode 6 SFSTV looks at the changing face of ski areas through the eyes of one of the world’s leading ski resort designers. At 4 minutes into the video its all about China.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LKuOmA1jF8

Leo Ahrens finds powder in China