2008 Beijing Olympics
Part 8 -11
Travel and Tourism
Learning and teaching resources
Part 8: The 2008 Beijing Olympic equestrian events will be held in
Hong Kong
The 2008 Beijing Olympic equestrian
events is the most important event in
Hong Kong this year. However, different
people have different views of Hong Kong
co-hosting this event.
Tourism Personnel: We can gain
experience from organizing mega
international events. For instance, the
preparations for receiving VIPs can
help raise the standard of Hong
Kong’s tourism services.
HKSAR Government Official:
Co-hosting an international
sports event not only is a
contribution to our country, but
it promotes Hong Kong as
“Asia’s world city”.
HK Tourism Board: Mega events
attract big spenders. It is estimated
that the equestrian events will attract
around 10,000 to 30,000 tourists to
Hong Kong. If they stay for a week,
they will generate around HK$ 300
million tourism revenue.
Hong Kong Citizen: As a Hong
Kong citizen, it is our honour to
co-host the equestrian events. It
would be a valuable opportunity to
witness this international sports
event.
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department: As part of Wu Kai Sha
Youth Village facilities are
transformed into athlete’s training
ground, they will not be available
as recreational facilities for
citizens.
Environmentalists: To prepare for the
equestrian events, the government plans
to build stables and training arenas at
the artificial lake and green areas near
Penfold Park. It is believed that such
construction would threaten the breeding
of egrets.
Hong Kong Athletes: The Hong Kong
Jockey Club occupies some of the
facilities in Hong Kong Sports Institute in
Sha Tin to prepare for the equestrian
events. Therefore, we have to relocate
to Wu Kai Sha Youth Village for training.
It will affect our training schedule.
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Question for Discussion:
1 a. According to the comment made by different parties, analyse the positive effects of
co-hosting the Olympic equestrian events to Hong Kong’s social, economic and
environmental development..
Positive Impacts
Social



Economic



Environmental 
development


b. With reference to Hong Kong co-hosting the Olympic equestrian events, analyse the
functions of the Hong Kong SAR Government in the development of the local tourism
industry.
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Extended activity:
1.
Suggest how the government can make use of the Post-Games’ infrastructures as one of
the resources to develop sports tourism in Hong Kong.
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Part 9: Beijing Olympics Games and the conservation of cultural
heritage
The conflict between urban development and preservation of the historical heritage is a
long story. Demolish? Yes, but how? Preserve? Yes, but again, how? This question has
always been highly controversial. Especially now that the Olympic Games are coming
up, how can we renovate the outlook of the Old Town inside the Second Ring, the very
core of the Beijing city? And what will happen to them after the Games?
Source 1: RMB 330 Million Restoration
Program
In 2004, the
“Overall Urban Planning for Beijing (2004－
2020)” brought up the idea of reviving the old historical
center of Beijing. A RMB 330 million renovation program
was put into effect, including 213 parts of the Forbidden
City. So the historical relic protection program for the
“People’s Olympics” was launched. A sum of RMB 120
million was allocated each year and hundreds of
restoration projects were carried out simultaneously.
This scale of the project is unprecedented in history.
Source 3: The cultural
treasures in the Qianmen
2
district to CPPCC member Wan Xuanrong, the
According
historical Qianmen district in Beijing still has many
intangible cultural asset. Historical relics like the
Business Street, the «Siheyuan» (quadrangles) and
the opera houses reflect better than anything else
the traditional features of Beijing. If we are able to
preserve the authenticity of the Hutongs, we will not
only help protect the outlook of Beijing’s Old Town,
but we will also leave an invaluable heritage to our
children and fulfill the ideal of “People’s Olympics”.
This will attract an increasing number of Chinese
and foreign tourists to our city and enhance the
cultural wealth of Beijing.
Source: “Remarkable results of ‘People’s Olympics’: RMB 930
Million to revive charming Old Beijing” (Chinese only)
http://2008.qq.com/a/20070918/000048.htm
Source: Published in the website of Beijing News”. (Chinese
only)
Source 2: The soul of Beijing: one night in a Siheyuan
http://www.beijing2008.cn/32/75/article212007532.shtml
The value of Beijing neither lies in it as a political centre of
China nor its modernization. Its value lies in the accumulation of
centuries of culture since the Six Dynasties. Dismantling and
demolitions would mean losing this piece of history forever. The
hearts of Chinese and foreign tourists were moved as they saw
the pictures of old Beijing’s hutongs and Siheyuans
(quadrangles) in the photography exhibition « The Soul of
Beijing: one night in a Siheyuan». Exhibition organiser Hua
Xinmin insists that Hutongs are very human, far from the
dilapidation people think. He claims that Hutongs can definitely
be restored to its original outlook and suitable for living. Beijing’s
Hutongs, Siheyuans and gridiron plan are unique; but many
developers, in the name of the government, level those
invaluable treasures to the ground and expel their inhabitants
whose ancestors have lived there for generations. Over the last
two to three years, 600 Hutongs have been disappearing each
year. Government designated 25 areas as protected areas, but
it has limited effect. The “People’s Olympics” concept and the
government’s ability to control large-scale construction works in
the city are put to challenge.
Source: Xie Guangfei, “Exhibition witnesses Hutong destruction; A challenge
to the ‘People’s Olympics’”; Published in the website of the China Economic
Times (Chinese only)
http://ah.51zhu.com/article/1/2007/2007030622856.shtml
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Source 4: Revive the historical and
cultural features of Hutongs
In order to cater to the concept of
“People’s Olympics”, the municipal
government has launched a series of
projects to restore Siheyuans and
Hutongs so that the traditional
construction style can be preserved. This
project
includes,
among
others,
demolishing the parts in the Hutongs that
were built without authorization followed
by appropriate renovation works and
conservation of these areas.
Source: “Construction works for Beijing Olympics:
Focusing on Historical sites”; Published in the
website of China Internet News Centre (Chinese
only)
http://www.china.com.cn/sport/txt/2007-06/18/conte
nt_8403460.htm
Source 5: Paradigm shift of the “People’s Olympic” as
a result of excessive commercialization
In preparation for the Olympics, more than RMB 600 Million were invested for modification
works at the Badaling section of the Great Wall, making it more old-fashioned and natural.
Currently, more than 3000 vehicles pass through the archways of the Great Wall every
day, causing tremendous traffic congestion and chaos. According to specialists, exhaust
gas causes damages to the walls and bricks. When the modification works are completed,
all vehicles will have to bypass the Wall. The stalls that have been thriving there for more
than 30 years will be completely removed within one year and a new square will be built.
The commercialization of the Olympic Games is a double-edged sword. This
phenomenon, started in the 80s, enabled the Games to survive, but excessive
commercialization may pervert the concept of “People’s Olympics”.
Source:
 “All Badaling stalls removed within a year”; Published on the website of the Beijing Morning Post.
http://2008.163.com/07/0318/04/39RDVUO700742437.html (Chinese only)
 Jin Yuanpu, Hui Ming “Demolishing Hutongs of East 48th Street”; Published on the website of the
People’s Olympic Research Centre at Renmin University of China.
http://www.c2008.org/rendanews/news_detail.asp?id=1206 (Chinese only)
Source 6: As the program for preserving the Old Beijing has been implemented,
why is the Old Town still disappearing?
With regards to the preservation of Beijing’s Old Town, the “Overall Urban Planning for
Beijing” aims to put an end to mass demolitions and constructions. Instead, the plan
determined to look for ways to conserve and restore Old Town and its heritage buildings.
Why is then the Old Town is still disappearing?
The Housing Administration of the Eastern District released a statement, announcing
the project of turning 23 places on the East 48th Street into “integrated buildings”.
According to the Article 4 of the “Beijing Urban Housing Units Management Measures”,
all relocated units and individuals should comply with the needs of urban construction.
Real estate developers will cover this area with architectural complexes, like office
buildings, to imitate the ancient style.
According to the “Old Beijing Preservation Program in 25 historical areas” approved by
the City government in February 2002, the area between the East 43rd and 48th street
is a protected site in which the renovation and reconstruction of heritage buildings
should respect their original layout. However, the demolitions and relocations leave the
person in charge in the Cultural Relics Department helpless. The management of
cultural relics involves several departments. But there is no department explicitly
assigned in looking after the protection of Hutongs.
Land price in this area was estimated to be more than RMB 8000 per square metre.
The price leaves many relocated persons exasperated and leads to massive protest.
Source: Wang Jun, “Don’t let the Old Town disappear in the name of ‘protection’”; Published on the website of
Beijing News http://www.nujiang.ngo.cn/Dynamics/2007/200705/2007053003/
Annotation:
2. The National CPPCC Committee is formed by the Chinese Communist Party, various democratic parties and
unaffiliated persons, civic organizations, representatives of ethnic minorities and all circles, representatives
from HKSAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan and returned oversea Chinese as well as other people upon invitation.
Source: “Introduction to the CPPCC”; Published on the website of the Xiuzhou Committee of Chinese Political
Consultative Conference.http://www.xiuzhou.gov.cn:81/subsite/qzx/displaynews.jsp?docId=20050801093023_114
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Introduction:
The development of the tourism industry aims at
stimulating local economies and improve the living
standard of the locals while preserving their
traditional way of living and cultural heritage.
However, the local residents have the rights to
demand for better living conditions. Should tourism
planning aims at meetings tourists’ needs or the
needs of locals? How shall we maintain a balance
between economic benefits and the preservation of
cultural heritage?
Activity 7
Content:
Motion: Tourism development is compatible with the conservation of cultural heritage.
The class will be divided into the affirmative side and the negative side. Each student
shall examine the arguments of his standpoint, You may refer to P.28-29 (source 1-6) and
then complete the table on p.31
Each group arranges 3 students to debate on the motion.
30
Affirmative Side﹕
Relevant
Parties
Standpoint
Reason
Government
officials
responsible for
town planning
Developers
Residents of the
Old Town in
Beijing
Negative Side:
Relevant Parties
Standpoint
Reason
Residents of the
Old Town in
Beijing
Tourists
The City’s
Administration of
Cultural Heritage /
Organiser of art
events
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Part 10: Introductory Exercise
【Quiz: Olympic Symbols】
1.
What are the symbols of the Olympics Games?
2.
After knowing the meaning of the Olympic Rings:
(a) name the continents; and
(b) colour the rings in the diagram below.
Source: http://www.beijing2008.cn/spirit/beijing2008/graphic/n214068867.shtml
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Part 11: Symbols of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Tourism
Resources in the Provinces of China
Apart from the Olympic Rings, the torch is also a Olympics symbol. To learn about the general
geographical conditions of provinces in China and their tourism resources by following the
Olympic Torch Relay.
With the theme of “Journey of Harmony” and the slogan of “Light the Passion, Share
the Dream”, the Olympic torch relay of the Beijing Olympic Games will pass through
21 cities in 5 continents and will be led through 31 provinces, autonomous regions,
municipalities and special administrative regions (refer to P.36 for the route). The
duration of the relay is 130 days, covering a total of 137,000 km.
1. Find out the major cities, climate, geographical locations, population and the major
economic driving forces of the below four provinces. Put down your answer on p.34
(You may visit the websites of China government http://www.gov.cn/jingtai/map/3482.jpg,
China Internet Information center http://www.china.com.cn/chinese/zhuanti/166600.htm,
the Hong Kong Backpackers’ Association.
http://www.hkba-travel.org/travel_tools/tools_map.htm, Ministry of Commerce of the PRC,
http://big5.mofcom.gov.cn/gate/big5/provincedata.mofcom.gov.cn/survey/disp.asp?pid=6 or
other related websites.)
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Three Provinces and one Autonomous Region
Province
Shandong
Province
Tibet
Autonomous Region
Provincial Capital
Geographical
Location
Climate
Population
Three major
economic driving
forces
34
Sichuan
Province
Guangdong
Province
2. According to the above information you have collected 【P.34】, explore how different
travellers are attracted by the natural and cultural resources:
Shandong
Province
Tibet Autonomous
Region
1. Season or
month
suitable for
travelling
Main type of
tourism
resources in
season or
month specified
2. Suitable type
of traveling
Reason(s)
35
Sichuan Province
Guangdong
Province
Planned Route of Beijing Olympic Torch Relay
Date
24-30/3
International Route
Date
1-2/4
3/4
5/4
6/4
7/4
9/4
11/4
13/4
14/4
16/4
17/4
19/4
Torch Relay Handover
Ceremony in Greece
Almaty (Kazakhstan)
Istanbul (Turkey)
St. Petersburg (Russia)
London (United Kingdom)
Paris (France)
San Francisco (USA)
Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
Muscat (Oman)
Islamabad (Pakistan)
Mumbai (India)
Bangkok (Thailand)
2/5
3/5
4-6/5
7-10/5
11-13/5
14-16/5
17-19/5
20-21/5
22-24/5
26-28/5
29-31/5
1-3/6
4-6/6
21/4
22/4
24/4
26/4
27/4
28/4
29/4
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Jakarta (Indonesia)
Canberra (Australia)
Nagano (Japan)
Seoul (South Korea)
Pyongyang (North Korea)
Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
7-9/6
10-12/6
13-14/6
15-18/6
19-21/6
22-24/6
25-27/6
28-30/6
2-4/7
5-7/7
8-10/7
11-13/7
14-16/7
17-19/7
20-22/7
23-26/7
28-31/7
1-3/8
4-5/8
6-8/8
Mainland China Route
Hong Kong
Macau
Hainan Province
Guangdong Province
Fujian Province
Jiangxi Province
Zhejiang Province
Shanghai
Jiangsu Province
Anhui Province
Hubei Province
Hunan Province
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous
Region
Yunnan Province
Guizhou Province
Chongqing
Sichuan Province
Tibet Autonomous Region
Qinghai Province
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region
Gansu Province
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Shaanxi Province
Shanxi Province
Inner Mongolia Autonomous
Region
Heilongjiang Province
Jilin Province
Liaoning Province
Shandong Province
Henan Province
Hebei Province
Tianjin
Beijing
Source:
The The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) website
http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/