The central government plans to designate landmark places in the development of the Communist Party of China in order to promote patriotic education and boost the economy of revolutionary regions.

　　As a part of this move, Hebei Province will popularize its 10 major "red tourism" sites.

　　Red tourism refers to places of historic interest in the evolution of the CPC.

　　"The hand-picked sites, which are mostly in remote, mountainous areas, will not only make visitors know more about the CPC's glorious history, but boost the economy in these areas," said Wang Xinyong, director of the Hebei Tourism Administration.

　　The sites include Xibaipo, where the CPC's central leadership stayed for 10 months from 1948 to 1949; the headquarters of Division 129 under the Eighth Route Army led by the CPC in China's Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945); and a memorial to Li Dazhao, one of the CPC's founders.

　　More than 60 hotels - converted farmers' homes - are now in Xibaipo. Hebei boasts a total of 118 red tourism sites, which attracted 12 million visitors last year.

　　Hebei plans to carry out a series of activities to publicize red tourism sites among both domestic and overseas visitors.

　　Ranzhuang is another key site. It's famous for tunnel warfare launched by the CPC during the Anti-Japanese War.

　　An exhibition on Hebei's red tourism sites is scheduled for April 22 to 24 in Beijing.

　　The project was launched by the general offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council last December. It will continue through 2010.

　　The government plans to raise 100 billion yuan (US$12 billion) for these regions, which are comparatively poor. The increased tourism is expected to create job opportunities for about 2 million people and indirectly affect 10 million people.

　　Across the country, destinations also include famous CPC bases such as Jinggangshan, Jiangxi Province.

　　(Xinhua)