135,000 overseas tourists visited northwest China's Gansu province in 1999, earning some 31.9 million US dollars.

The influx of tourists to the province has seen more tourist routes open such as the Hexi Corridor and routes from Lanzhou, Gansu and Jiuzhaigou located in the southwest province of Sichuan.

The province has also organized long-distance race along the ancient Silk Road and sightseeing bicycle tour packages.

A tourism festival will be held to mark the 100th anniversary of Dunhuang studies in June.