[Photo provided to China Daily]

Huizhou will invest 5 million yuan ($770,000) to promote tourism, upgrade transportation and enhance rural guesthouse development this year.

It plans to open three five-star hotels within five years to accommodate 20,000 people in 10 years, compared with 2,000 beds available now, not counting farmers' guesthouses.

A high-speed railway line has boosted tourism, since Huangshanbei Station is now half an hour by train from the district.

"Most attractions can be accessed by bus," says the district's deputy director, Fang Hong.

The area bursts into bloom in late March.

Rapeseed, peach, pear and oriental cherry blossoms explode across the mountains.

While the first marathon was small in size, organizers believe it's the starting line for something huge.

Considering the first three participants to cross the finish line were from abroad, it seems Huizhou has already got a head start in its race to lure visitors from afar.