Shanxi tourism market thrives during Qingming Festival

According to data from Trip.com, North China's Shanxi province saw a significant surge in its tourism market during the Qingming Festival holiday, with tourism orders increasing by 30 percent year-on-year, flight orders rising by 21 percent, and hotel bookings up by 14 percent.

The major popular scenic spots, such as Yungang Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient City, and Jinci Museum, saw visitor numbers rise by 45 percent, 38 percent, and 32 percent, respectively. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda introduced a "Qingming Blessing" themed event, attracting over 12,000 visitors in a single day.

Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Shijiazhuang, and Shanghai were the top five sources of tourists, with Beijing alone accounting for 25 percent of visitors. Meanwhile, Beijing, Xi'an, Luoyang, Shanghai, and Tianjin were the top destinations for Shanxi residents traveling out of the province. Notably, orders for Taiyuan tourists to visit Pingyao Ancient City increased by 517 percent.

In addition to traditional activities like hiking and flower viewing, this year's Qingming Festival saw a growing interest in folk customs and intangible cultural heritage (ICH). Data from Fliggy showed a 68 percent year-on-year increase in the popularity of "ICH study tours", including visits to ICH sites and ICH experiences.

From the artistic treasures of Yungang Grottoes to the natural wonders of the Taihang Mountains, Shanxi is meeting diverse tourist demands with various tourism products. As the peak summer season approaches, Shanxi is poised to cement its status as a major cultural tourism province.