Shaanxi Province in northwest China plans to host 700,000 overseas tourists and 27 million domestic tourists this year, up 11 percent and four percent, respectively, over 1999.

Foreign exchange earned from tourism industry is expected to reach 280 million US dollars, up 10.3 percent, and domestic tourism revenues will amount to 10 billion yuan, an increase of 13.6 percent over 1999, officials with the tourism departments say. The province has decided to establish a tourism zone featuring the culture of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.) around the Qinshihuang Mausoleum, including a museum and an exhibition hall.

Shaanxi will also develop a tourism zone on the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) culture around the Hanyangling mausoleum, 10 kilometers north of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi. Archaeologists have unearthed more than 5,000 tombs under the mausoleum.

To attract visitors, the province will host a series of activities this year, including economic and tourism trade fairs, an international marathon competition, and an international calligraphy competition.

Construction of new roads and highways to scenic spots will start this year.