Feature: Bariloche, the Argentine city that Obama visited with his family

In March this year, after wrapping up his Cuba trip that many believe would form part of his legacy, U.S. President Barack Obama visited Argentina, where he also enjoyed an afternoon trip with his family to the city of Bariloche.

Some 1,640 km southwest of Buenos Aires, Bariloche was located within the Nahuel Huapi National Park, along the Andes Mountains range. It was declared the national capital of adventure tourism four years ago and the national capital of chocolate in 2015, attracting over 900,000 tourists each year.

Bariloche's tour guide Daniel Torres told Xinhua that since 1934, the Argentine government has invested a lot of money to transform the city, with an original agropastoral and forest-based economy, into a tourist destination.

Over the years, the investments were used to construct buildings that are now considered historic sites, such as the Civic Center, the Cathedral, the Saint Edward's Chapel and the Llao Llao Hotel.

"Bariloche, for all its possibilities, has joined other Argentine destinations such as Calafate, Buenos Aires, to boost tourism," said Torres.

In Bariloche, which has a population of around 113,000, tourists can enjoy the snow, lakes, walks in the hills and mountains, but also, delicious cuisine with venison, trout and above all, chocolate.

"In summer, there are water sports such as diving, rafting and canoeing, in the Nahuel Huapi Lake as well as in the rivers," added the tour guide.

Also available in summer are walks in the forest, motorcycle rides and fishing, since there are a large variety of salmonids (salmon and trout) between November and the next April.

During austral winter there is "everything related to snow," with walks on the snow-capped Mount Otto and trips on quad bikes, added Torres.

Local hotels have 30,000 beds, from basic and economic hotels up to Llao Llao, the regular stop-off for well-known figures such as Obama, and the three U.S. presidents before him. Endi