Shandong sees surge in visitors during National Day holiday

Performers pose in hanfu at the Zhangqiu Mingshui Ancient City in Jinan of Shandong province. [Photo: Dazhong News]

East China's Shandong province saw a surge in visitors during the National Day holiday. According to data from Ctrip, tourism-related sales in Shandong increased by 14 percent year-on-year during the holiday, and ticket sales increased by 51 percent.

Popular tourist attractions in Shandong included the Baotu Spring Park in Jinan, Langya Ancient City in Linyi, and the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Jining's Qufu.

The World's Best Spring Scenic Area in Jinan received 2.14 million visitors during the National Day holiday. "This year, the spring water culture in Jinan was the first choice for many out-of-town tourists," said Niu Xiaoxia, a staff member of Jinan Culture and Tourism Development Group.

"We also incorporated elements of cultural celebrities such as Li Qingzhao, Xin Qiji, and Wang Shizhen, and launched themed performances so people could experience the rich local cultural characteristics," Niu added.

The Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Jining's Qufu provided visitors with unique cultural experience projects such as trying on hanfu, praying at the Confucius Temple, and enjoying shadow puppetry. The Mencius Temple in Zoucheng, Jining also offered activities featuring traditional China's "six classical arts" – archery, ritual, music, horseriding, calligraphy, and math – so that visitors could soak in the beauty of intangible cultural heritage. In Liaocheng city, activities such as poetry recitals guided visitors to understand and feel the charm of Chinese classics.