Tourism numbers up for ‘Golden Week’

Bumper numbers of tourists descended on Guangzhou during the National Day holiday, increasing by 15.12 percent of the previous year's figures for the same period, to 15.28 million tourists.

Revenue from tourism during the eight-day break also broke records, with visitors spending some 11.97 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), up 16.27 percent, according to statistics released by the Guangzhou tourism department.

The Canton Tower is lit up during the National Day holiday. 

The figures showed that 99.74 percent of tourists surveyed at Guangzhou's main scenic spots and hotels were satisfied with the city's tourism services.

The convenient transport links visitors to arrive by air, high-speed rail, or by ferry as well as other ways, said a tourist from Henan province. Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou saw 670 flights arrived on Oct 1 alone.

Well-known scenic spots such as Chimelong Tourism Resort, Baiyun Mountain and Canton Tower all saw increased numbers. Baiyun Mountain's operating income increased by more than 40 percent comparing with the same period last year.

According to data released by travel services provider Ctrip, Mafengwo and other leading online travel agents, Guangzhou has entered the lists for "Top Ten Most Popular Tourist Cities" and "Top Ten Hot Travel Destinations in the National Day".

According to a visitor surnamed Zhao from Liaoning province, Guangzhou is a perfect place to spend a vacation with tourists able to enjoy beautiful night views overlooking the city from its iconic Canton Tower, buy the world's latest products from Tianhe Road shopping district, and appreciate the natural scenery at Baiyun Mountain.

Nansha cruise and rural tourism also went from strength to strength. During the National Day holiday, Nansha cruise tourism ferried 15,400 tourists, an increase of 105 percent compared with previous year. And around 15,300 visitors enjoyed rural tourism in Zengcheng district's five rural tourism spots, bringing in 658,800 yuan in income for locals.

Locals enjoy the sea of flowers in Haizhu National Wetland Park.