Country tunes in as 2 million personally enjoy Zhuhai

While millions of viewers were introduced to Zhuhai's mix of technology and cultural style during the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, a record-breaking 1.93 million experienced it in person from Feb 15 to 21, a year-on-year jump of 18.9 percent.

This year Zhuhai hosted a parallel session of the Beijing Gala, China's most-viewed television program, for the first time.

Television aside, tourism revenue during the Spring Festival holiday rose by nearly 30 percent to 1.2 billion yuan ($189 million), according to the Zhuhai Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau. Statistics also show a 19.5 percent growth in the number of overnight tourists, totaling 485,000.

With the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom serving as backdrops, the city utilized fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), driverless cars, and unmanned surface vessels (USV) to display its prowess in science and technology.

Blanket of flowers in Nan'ao Village of Baijiao Town, Doumen

Crowds were treated to aerobatic drones skimming over water amid a fireworks spectacular. Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort drew 90,000 visitors to its all-new Ocean Resistance Show and "Marine night parade floats" on the third day of Lunar New Year, setting a new record. Shows at Chimelong International Circus City opened to full audiences for up to four times a day.

There was a festive ambience throughout the city, due to entertainment that was on offer. Visitors could choose from a variety of flower markets, folk customs, hot spring resorts, islands, rural experiences, art performances, gourmet food, blessing ceremonies, and shopping sprees. 

Pleasant weather cooperated as the leisure travel market focused on family trips. For example, the Gree Dong'ao Hotel on Dong'ao Island offered an all-encompassing package of accommodation, boating, food, and themed activities. The winter seascape and fresh air attracted nearly 4,000 only a day away from busy cities, further cementing Zhuhai's reputation as the City of a Hundred Islands and City of Romance.

Meanwhile, many of Zhuhai's 4A-grade scenic spots blended culture and tourism to attract crowds. For instance, Ocean Spring Resort staged lion dance and molten-steel sprayings during its Tang Dynasty (618-907) bath culture week with tens of thousands participating daily. 

Local cuisines at Shili Lianjiang scenic spot [Photos by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Daily]

Those who sought something closer to nature strolled in such places as Haibin Park, Jida, among 3,208 sq m of tulips, violets, and other flowers. New Yuanming Palace in Lanpu of Gongbei exhibited more than 30 varieties of peonies while Huatian Water Village in Jinwan District highlighted local cultural performances of Million Lotus Greeting Lunar New Year. Most visitors drove to see the colorful floral wonderland in Nan'ao Village of Doumen District and other motorists flocked into Tangjiawan Town for local delicacies and historical legacy.

Doumen proved to be a hotspot for road trips. More than 132 million yuan ($20.7 million) was spent by 589,600 visitors during the seven-day holiday -- a year-on-year increase of 11.86 percent in revenue and 16.29 percent in tourist numbers, according to the bureau. Among them, overnight visitors increased by 13.64 percent to 12,500. Shili Lianjiang Agriculture Sightseeing & Experience Garden, Yifeng Ecological Health Care Park, Jintai Temple, Jiexia Village, and Crocodile Island were among the most popular sites, according to reports.