Tourist numbers up in Zhangjiajie

Tourist numbers in Zhangjiajie, a popular destination in Hunan province, increased significantly over the New Year holiday, partly thanks to free tickets, according to local tourism authorities.

In Wulingyuan, a key scenic spot in Zhangjiajie, the number of tourists increased 48.55 percent year-on-year to 7,233 during the three-day holiday. Tianmenshan scenic spot received 10,726 tourists, an increase of 66.6 percent over the same holiday period last year.

Wulingyuan is one of the first world natural heritage sites in China, among the first geological parks in the world and the one of the country's first national 5A tourist attractions.

The overseas tourist market in Wulingyuan has tapped 133 countries and regions, with visitors traveling to Tianzi Mountain, Tianmen Mountain, Suoxiyu Valley, Baili Gallery and other scenic spots with unique scenery.

As Zhangjiajie had its first snowfall in 2023, local tourism authorities organized workers to check for potential safety hazards on the high-altitude passenger tram at Wulingyuan scenic spot.