A press conference for the 2019 China Forest Tour Festival takes place in Beijing on Aug 28. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The 2019 China Forest Tour Festival will be held in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province from Oct 18 to 21, according to information released at a press conference for the event in Beijing on Aug 28.

The festival has been held by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration every year since 2015. Nantong is the first prefecture-level city to host the event, following Wuhan, the Changbai Mountains, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

A series of measures have been implemented this year to improve the city’s image and elevate its tourism and service industries, said Lu Zhipeng, Party secretary of Nantong.

The city has built up its infrastructure, undertaken projects focusing on the local landscape, and upgraded services and management in scenic spots, restaurants, and hotels with the aim of bringing the event up to international standards while also preserving its local characteristics.

According to Lu, the main venue of the festival will be located in the Nantong Central Innovation District, with six sub-sections being held at the Langshan National Forest Park, the Wuzhou Forest Park, the Nantong Forest Safari Park, the Haohe River scenic area, and the Yuantuojiao Wetland Park in Qidong county, as well as the International Gardening City in Rugao county.

This year’s event will consist of various activities, including an opening ceremony, promotional conferences, academic forums, and nine Nantong-related activities such as a bonsai exhibition, a forest concert, an international marathon, a food gala, and a dragon boat race on the Haohe River.