China's Lantern Festival Sparks Tourism Boom as Spring Festival Concludes

China’s Lantern Festival Sparks Tourism Boom as Spring Festival Concludes

Chinese people across the country celebrated the Lantern Festival on Saturday, marking the end of the annual Spring Festival. The Lantern Festival, observed on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar, brought vibrant activities such as stunning lantern shows, traditional dragon dances, and lantern riddle games, drawing crowds eager to partake in the festivities.

The lantern shows nationwide attracted a significant influx of tourists, contributing to a surge in domestic travel. According to data from travel portal LY.com, searches related to the “Lantern Festival” tripled, with short-distance cross-city tours becoming a popular choice for many travelers. Specifically, more than 60 percent of visitors to the Shanghai Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show were estimated to come from other cities, highlighting the festival’s widespread appeal.

Tourism emerged as a standout performer during the Chinese New Year holidays. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that a total of 474 million trips were made across China during the eight-day holiday, representing a 34.3 percent increase year on year. Domestic tourism spending reached 632.69 billion yuan ($87.93 billion), up 47.3 percent from the previous year.

The robust tourism figures reflect a strong rebound in consumer confidence and enthusiasm for travel following the easing of pandemic-related restrictions. Areas ranging from transportation to online sales and entertainment also witnessed record-breaking numbers, signaling a positive outlook for China’s economic recovery.

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