Learn-through-travel programs fuel up Yangzhou tourism season

Students in traditional costumes try regional Yangzhou dishes during a learn-through-travel program. [Photo/xhby.net]

The Slender West Lake scenic area in Yangzhou welcomed a group of over 500 primary school students from Chizhou, Anhui province, July 1. 

The first student group to visit Yangzhou this summer, the children traveled there to expand their minds and gain real-world experiences, developing skills in conversation, manners and cultural understanding. 

Students took classes focused on a variety of local intangible cultural heritages, including puppet shows, woodblock printing, dough modeling and making Yangzhou fried rice, a renowned local dish that has enchanted the taste-buds of many. 

The classes guided the students toward the charm of traditional Yangzhou culture and the beauty of Slender West Lake. 

With summer holidays already knocking on the door, Yangzhou tourist spots and their educational programs are gaining popularity among primary and middle school students. 

Statistics show that by July 4, several thousand students from Jiangsu and elsewhere had registered their participation. The local Tianle Lake Scenic Spot will also welcome an estimated 5,000 student visitors from Zhenjiang, Nanjing, Anhui and Shanghai. 

Students attempt Yangzhou puppetry, a traditional local art. [Photo/xhby.net]

Though the summer holiday period has always been slow for Yangzhou's tourism industry, the city in Jiangsu province, which has been gaining momentum since March, is set to enter a new era. 

Not only have local scenic spots lowered their admission prices, but, during July and August, primary-to-college students can have their admission exempted at the five most popular tourist destinations, including the Slender West Lake and Daming Temple. 

This summer will also see Yangzhou present more than 60 programs with distinctive local themes, from appreciating Yangzhou's beauty to promoting its history and culture.