Inserts:

00:03 REPORT / PATRICK FOK
00:18 WEI WEI / ZHAOYUAN VISITOR
01:19 GUO JIANWEN / CALLIGRAPHER 

Script:

0:00 Hunched by a stream with scenic surroundings… 

Wei Wei sifts through sediment in her pan patiently, in a swirling motion.

She’s keeping her eyes peeled for tiny glittering specks… of treasure.

0:18 WEI WEI, ZHAOYUAN VISITOR

你从沙里淘金逃的过程中，你会感受到这一份喜悦和喜悦来自于你从从这个最寻常的沙子里能发现宝藏。

“In the process of sifting for gold from the sand, you'll experience this joy—a joy that stems from discovering treasure within the most ordinary grains of sand.”

0:35 As gold prices have surged to record levels over the past year, topping $4000 per troy ounce, tourists have been flocking to Zhouyan, also known as “China’s Gold Capital”.

The mining industry here is more than 1000 years old and to make the most of its heritage, the region integrates industry and tourism to offer an immersive experience.

During this year’s national, golden week holidays, Chinese media reported that it received an average of nearly 40,000 visits per day.

Policy makers are encouraging old mining towns like Zhaoyuan to develop experiential attractions so that they’re less reliant on resource extraction.

1:18 GUO JIANWEN, CALLIGRAPHER 
对的啊，黄金啊，毕竟是它是有限的资源，它总有一天会被开采完的

“After all, gold is a finite resource that will eventually be mined out.”

1:24 Guo Jianwen is a calligrapher and sells scrawls with traditional Chinese blessings.

Historically, gold and the colour yellow was reserved for China’s imperial family.

Reports say China is also courting countries to store more bullion within its borders to boost its position in the global financial system… 

as part of efforts to establish a world that’s less dependent on US dollars.

1:49 GUO JIANWEN, CALLIGRAPHER

这个黄金呢，走进来是被人们所喜爱，大家都喜欢黄金，都愿意追着黄金啊

“Gold has always been cherished by people. Everyone adores gold and is eager to pursue it.”

//

我们欢迎世界各地的朋友们都到我们周围来

“We welcome friends from all corners of the world to our region.”

2:01 In the centre of Zhaoyuan is one of Northern China’s largest gold and silver distribution malls.

Retailers line its multiple floors… selling bullion bars as well as intricate jewellery and ornaments.

While investors may be willing to chase surging gold prices, some businesses here are struggling.

Last month China scrapped a long-standing tax rebate on gold jewellery.

The move is expected to boost government revenue at a time when a sluggish real estate sector and weak economic growth are weighing on public coffers.

2:36 UNNAMED JEWELLER (no insert)

价格高肯定会影响一些销售。太贵了。他就说他本来要买的多一些的，你考虑的买的人少一些

“High prices definitely impact sales. It's simply too expensive. She said she intended to buy more, but now fewer people are considering purchases.”

2:47 Weak consumer sentiment hasn’t helped either.

Thousands of retailers across the country have shuttered in the past year.

For Zhaoyuan, the future may depend on a new kind of fortune: a diversified economy… beyond precious metal.

Schluss: 3:05min