Hangzhou welcomes 6.35m tourists during May Day Holiday, with West Lake the top destination

Hangzhou, a popular tourist destination in East China, welcomed 6.35 million tourists from outside the city during the May Day holiday, according to statistics from local authorities.

The figure marked a 289.89-percent year-on-year increase from 2022. The daily average number of tourists during the holiday was 1.27 million, an increase of 20.8 percent compared with the same period in 2019.

Among all the scenic spots, West Lake has become the most popular destination, ranking first among the top 10 most visited scenic spots across the country during the May Day holiday.

The other three most popular attractions in Hangzhou during the holiday were the Hubin Pedestrian Street, Songcheng Scenic Area, and Qinghefang Historical Block.

Song Dynasty (960-1279) cultural experience activities were also popular among tourists during the holiday.

For example, Yanzhou ancient town in Jiande held 12 performances, including street parades, welcome ceremonies, and song and dance performances. The newly launched Song Dynasty wedding ceremony on the water in the Songjia Lake area allowed tourists to experience the classic culture of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and immerse themselves in ancient rituals.

In Waitongwu village, Xihu district, Song Dynasty lifestyle experience activities were a hit. The fair attracted many families with children who dressed up in costumes to travel back in time to the Song Dynasty and experience activities such as tea picking, incense making, tie-dyeing, and the making of Song Dynasty beverages and silk fans.