Taiyuan embraces new year tourism boom

Shipin Street in Taiyuan is bustling with visitors, Feb 14. [Photo/Taiyuan Daily] 

Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, saw a tourism boom over the Spring Festival holiday, Feb 10 to 17.

During the eight-day holiday, the city's major scenic spots, museums, parks, leisure streets, and nighttime tourism consumption areas received 6.05 million visits, marking a 204 percent increase year-on-year. The ticket revenue to attractions reached 110.2 million yuan ($15.31 million), up 132.4 percent year-on-year.

Shipin Street in Taiyuan is bustling with visitors, Feb 14. [Photo/Taiyuan Daily] 

Among the vast number of visitors, there was a significant rise in the proportion of out-of-province tourists, with many coming from Beijing, Shanghai, Hebei, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Guangdong, and Zhejiang. According to China Media Group's reports, during this period, Taiyuan was listed as one of the top 10 popular destinations for southern residents traveling to North China. 

Taiyuan's rich and diverse cultural activities were highly favored by tourists. The third annual folk Spring Festival celebration event that was held in Liujiabao village, for example, attracted 452,000 visits over the holiday.

Visitors appreciate the lanterns at Jinyang Lake Park in Taiyuan, Feb 16. [Photo/Taiyuan Daily] 

In addition, lantern shows became grand spectacles in Taiyuan during the holiday. Various locations, including Taiyuan Ancient County, Yuquan Mountain Forest Park, Jinyang Lake's Peach Blossom Island, and several leisure streets, hosted large-scale lantern exhibitions, which drew in crowds.