The Bazhong-Shaanxi Expressway stretches across part of Bazhong, Sichuan province. CHINA DAILY 

The changes in Nanjiang epitomize the staggering improvement to transportation in Bazhong, which has undergone three rounds of construction in the years since reform and opening-up began.

There are 25,561 km of road and 430 km of expressways in Bazhong. Every district and county in the city has access to an expressway, and Enyang Airport offers flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

With a world geopark, 20 national AAAA-level tourist attractions and better transportation, Bazhong can become the "back garden" for vacationers from Chengdu and Chongqing, said He Ping, adding that Bazhong is now focused on building up its food and beverage sectors to become a produce production center for Chengdu and Chongqing.