Hunan’s cultural tourism market has recovered strongly during the Spring Festival holiday of the Year of the Ox. On the evening of February 17, the data from the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism showed that:
A total of 98 provincially-monitored A-level scenic spots had 5.0163 million tourist trips, a year-on-year increase of 3,354.78%, and raked in a combined operating income of 772 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2582.78%. Forty-eight rural tourist areas saw a total of 544,500 tourist trips, a year-on-year increase of 1010.53%, and had a revenue of 114 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 658.87%. A total of 129 cultural service units received 339,100 tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 1529.44%.
Family self-guided tours became mainstream, and red cultural tourism continued to be popular.
During the Spring Festival holiday, most parts of Hunan had sunny and warm days, which was good for travelling. In order to cope with the epidemic prevention and control, most people chose to stay put to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Short-distance and short-term travel, as well as family self-guided tours were preferred.
Key scenic spots attracted large crowds while doing a good job in limiting visitor numbers. Taohuayuan Scenic Area in Changde City launched an activity to celebrate Chinese New Year in Taohuayuan. The tourism quality of rural tourist attractions in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture has been further improved. Tourists were attracted by the comfortable and festive atmosphere. In Zhushan Village, Machong Township, Fenghuang County, 33 “internet celebrity” B&Bs were fully booked during the holiday.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, and red cultural tourism continues to be popular. Shaoshan, Wushi, Xiangxiang and other red tourist attractions were crowded with visitors. "Going to Shaoshan to extend Chinese New Year greeting to Chairman Mao" has become a new way of celebrating the new year. Chenzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and various scenic spots collected and sorted out many locally created revolutionary songs. The songs were played on a loop in important scenic spots, creating a strong atmosphere.
There were distinctive and colorful online and offline activities.
A variety of cultural tourism activities ensured a happy New Year for Hunan people.
Distinctive offline activities were held. More than 20 featured activities were held in Changsha, including a splendid show integrating laser lights, fireworks, and fountains at the Tongguan Kiln Ancient Town; a happy snowfield activity at Xiangjiang Joy Town; the event of “Going Back to the Song Dynasty for the Spring Festival” at the Window on the World; and 2nd Ocean Festival at Changsha Undersea World.
From February 10 to 28, 39 state-owned scenic spots and public cultural venues in Changsha opened to non-Hunanese who celebrated the New Year in Changsha free of charge. A range of festive activities were held for them.
During the holiday, main historical sites in Hongjiang City, Huaihua City had cultural performances. Tourists were dressed in Hanfu to participate in TikTok short video contest.
There were colorful online activities. From February 1 to 28, the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism joined hands with three e-commerce platforms to hold an activity to demonstrate intangible cultural heritages. Hunan Museum opens online courses based on its current exhibitions. Hunan Flower Drum Opera Protection and Inheritance Center and Hunan Puppet and Shadow Art Protection and Inheritance Center offered online shows. Yongzhou held the 2021 Spring Festival Gala and 30 cultural events to benefit locals.
This article is from Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn
