Four planning and designing companies from Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu are bidding to undertake the project.

According to the bureau, the new route will involve the undertaking of eleven projects, including the Muli Monastery, the Shangri-La National Forest Park, the Daba Culture Park and an ecotourism holiday resort.

Meanwhile, Tibetan-style hotels, a rock climbing base, a skiing park, a safari and racetrack will also be constructed.

Muli, located in the southern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, boasts high mountains and highlands, as well as lakes and rivers.

Though rich in natural and tourism resources, the mysterious town was little known to the outside world until the 1920s when American Austrian scientist Joseph F. Rock traveled to the place three times and published in the National Geographic magazine his travelogues about Muli’s natural and cultural landscape.

With snowy mountains, large forests, perilous peaks, limestone caves, waterfalls and ancient monasteries, the county fits the portrait of a utopian paradise. “Eco” is all trendy and dandy. Hip catch word like “ecotourism” plus the mystery, ancient history, scenery and last but not least, commercial promotion is sure to bring hype. Look at what they did to Yunan “Shangri-La”. That place is more commercial than ever. A “rock climbing base”, “ski park”, “safari forest” and a “RACE TRACK”? That doesn’t sound “eco” to me.