Tourism begins to recover in Wuxi

Wuxi's tourism industry showed signs of recovery during the three-day Qingming Festival from April 4 to 6, with most visitors coming for day trips from nearby regions.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, travelers are being extra cautious and demanding higher safety requirements.

With spring in full swing in Wuxi, a number of tourist destinations with blooming flowers have become popular.

Yuantouzhu scenic area, or Turtle Head Isle, a popular spot for admiring cherry blossoms, saw the largest number of travelers nationwide during the Qingming Festival holiday in Wuxi, as it is the best season to admire cherry blossoms there.

The scenic area received 56,000 visitors during the three-day holiday, about 80 percent of its total capacity, according to the scenic area's management office. However, the total amount dropped by over 60 percent from the same period last year.

Nanchan Temple scenic area, Nianhuawan scenic area, Wuxi Plum Garden, Huishan Ancient Town and Yixing Longbeishan Forest Park also saw increases in the number of visitors.

Wuxi Plum Garden received about 300 medical workers over the three-day period. Wuxi has opened 60 tourist attractions for free to medical workers in a show of respect for their hard work during the fight against the virus.

Most tourists decided to drive themselves, in light of the epidemic.

Deng Yungang, vice manager of Wuxi Wanda Tourism, said the company only received one tour group consisting of 31 people, who came from Huaian to enjoy a two-day visit in Wuxi Lingshan scenic area. It was also the first group they have received since the Spring Festival holiday.

Many travel agencies said they expect May to become the first peak travel period of the year, due to the Labor Day holiday.