Paddy and dinosaur park in Hainan to attract 600,000 tourists

Photo shows dinosaur models in a paddy field at sunset in Paddy Field National Park, Haitang Bay, Sanya, Hainan, March 26, 2018. [Photo: ChinaPlus/Ge Anna]

Authorities in charge of Paddy Field National Park in Haitang Bay, Hainan Province, say they anticipate attracting 600,000 tourists through 2018.

The park is the largest agri-tourism park in the city of Sanya.

It's divided into two main sections.  One includes renowned agricultural scientist Yuan Longping's research centre.  The other is the Nanfan Comprehensive Experimental Base, which is also an agricultural research centre.

Photo shows a dinosaur model at sunset at Paddy Field National Park, Haitang Bay, Sanya, Hainan, March 26, 2018. [Photo: ChinaPlus/Ge Anna]

The scientific park also includes a dinosaur boulevard, including 323 models of different dinosaurs discovered in China lined up on the side of the road. 

Paddies dating back to the Cretaceous period in Earth's history have also been found in the area of the park. But unlike the dinosaurs which died out, the paddy fields have survived into today, and provide a significant source for growing food.

Photo shows a dinosaur model at sunset in the Paddy Field National Park, Haitang Bay, Sanya, Hainan, March 26, 2018. [Photo: ChinaPlus/Ge Anna]

Since opening to the public in October, 2017, the park has already received over 30,000 tourists.

Park officials hope to increase the number of visitors to as many as one million in the coming three years.