The first Forum for the Development of Central Recreation Districts was recently held in Beijing, where representatives of central recreation districts and experts brainstormed on how to promote such areas and fix standards for the services being offered there.

In July 2011, the central government issued the Standard of Service Quality Specifications for Central Recreation Districts, by which such districts were asked to reflect elements of a city’s culture and allow sufficient free public space alongside focusing on building leisure facilities.

Until this year, eight such areas enforced the standard and meet government requirements to become the first batch of central recreation districts nationwide, according to participants at the forum.

The Olympic Green in Beijing, Qujiang New District in Xi'an, the South district of Qingdao, Shanghai New World, Nanjing Confucius Temple, Old Bund area of Ningbo and Changshu Yushan Mountains’ Park, are among the sites that made it to the list.

A combination of cultural heritage and commercial innovation seems to be the common thread binding the eight districts, the forum’s participants seemed to think. For example, in the southern part of Nanjing, which is among the eight districts, one can enjoy historical sites and modern recreational activities with equal ease, making it a tourist draw.

At another such place, the Fengcheng River area in Taizhou, visitors can derive pleasure from leisure lifestyle on offer surrounded by the traditional handicraft in Chinese-themed gardens.

The forum's attendees said that it's important to build brands within the districts, such as pubs and restaurants. Good public service is a must for constructing a central recreation district, including how such places provide information to visitors and keep the premises clean.

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