Shenxianju Scenic Area in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, marked its 10th anniversary as a national 5A scenic area on Oct 15. 

The 5A designation — China's highest tourism rating — is granted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to sites recognized for exceptional natural beauty, management, and visitor services.

Aerial view of the Shenxianju Scenic Area in Taizhou. [Photo/Tide News]

Renowned for its dramatic landscapes and unique geological formations, Shenxianju is famous for its grandeur, steep cliffs, and mystical atmosphere. Over the past decade, the site has undergone continuous infrastructure upgrades and expansion projects.

Tourists take the escalator in Shenxianju Scenic Area. [Photo provided by Chen Dong for Tide News]

When the site was first designated a national 5A scenic area in 2015, visitors had to endure a challenging three-hour climb for a short glimpse. The transformation began with a reconstruction effort — workers carved cliffside walkways, transported five-metric-ton steel structures by cableway, and built bridges on platforms measuring only 2.5 square meters, with each pier taking over six months to complete.

A participant competes in a slackline competition in Shenxianju Scenic Area on Sept 20. [Photo/Tide News]

Today, Shenxianju attracts more than two million visits annually. During the recent National Day holiday, it received 157,300 visits, a 15.32 percent increase year-on-year, while revenue rose by 18.25 percent.