Instead of “suffering” in popular cities, it’s better to have a “lying-flat tourism”. In the first half of 2024, “reverse travel” became a buzzword, which means going to lesser-known resorts to seek unique, relaxed holiday experiences instead of flocking to well-known yet generally jam-packed tourist destinations on vacation.

 

 

During this year’s five-day May Day holiday, Chenzhou City received 1.8308 million tourists, an increase of 5.66%, with the tourism revenue reaching 1.973 billion yuan, up 7.34%.

 

The 34 scenic spots monitored received 1.5724 million tourists, up 9.28%, with an operating income of 208 million yuan and a ticket income of over 87 million yuan, an increase of 8.76% year on year. 

 

The 33 accommodation units monitored received 33,800 tourists, with an operating income of over 17 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 5.55%. The occupancy rate of hotels reached 84.61%, and that of homestay inns was up to 80.62%. 

 

During the holiday, over 100 cultural tourism activities covering mass culture, intangible cultural heritage experience, and art performances were held around the city. The cultural venues across the city saw 40,900 tourist trips, an increase of 31.61%. 

 

During the holiday, Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area launched activities like special fairs and intangible cultural heritage performances to attract tourists. 

 

 

In Wuzhi Peak Scenic Spot of Mangshan Mountain, the unique Yao wedding became the focus of tourists. 

 

Yangtian Lake launched four fantasy parades every day, where elves and fairies came to the dreamy Hobbit Castle to interact with tourists. Jiulong River launched a forest wellness cultural art festival.

 

 

In terms of the number of tourists received in a single day, the highest number of tourists received by Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area (around the lake) reached 93,600 and that in Dongjiang Bay Tourist Area reached 72,900. 

 

In the 711 Time Town, tourists from nationwide participated in fun games like ring toss, tug-of-war and hand wrestling, tasted delicious food and took photos among the buildings representing the architecture style in the 1960s and 1970s.

 

 

A series of experience activities like handmade pottery and forest wellness were held in Zhiqing Art Village. 

 

Chenzhou Changjuan Cultural and Tourism Block set up a garden party for tourists, allowing tourists to understand Chenzhou in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, showing its unique intangible culture and long history. 

 

 

Yuhou Street also carried out colorful activities to make the nighttime tourism more appealing. 

 

 

Parents took their children to enjoy the beautiful scenery and culture of Chenzhou City during the holiday. 

 

 

Xiongying Outdoor Tourist Area, Siqing Lake Tourist Area, Jiulong River, Rucheng Hot Spring and other attractions welcomed many parents and children for outdoor development training and water play. Over 60% of tourists who came to such major scenic spots like Dongjiang Lake, Gaoyi Ridge and Wanhua Rock were families and self-driving tourists.