In recent times, the surge of tourists across China’s renowned attractions during the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays stood out as the most significant in the past five years. This year’s Golden Week has seen an unprecedented influx of visitors, prompting various local authorities to advise tourists to plan strategically to dodge peak hours.
Swarming Scenic Areas: A Testament to China’s Tourist Appeal
On a notable Sunday, the Dujiangyan Scenic Area, located in the heart of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, echoed the nationwide sentiment. By 11:40 am, it hosted 57,000 tourists, accounting for a staggering 95% of its capacity. This overwhelming turnout compelled the management to halt online ticket sales, reflecting the immense popularity of this attraction.
Similarly, Hongyadong, a celebrated site in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, witnessed an influx of 110,000 travelers on the preceding Saturday. To put this figure in perspective, it’s almost twice the visitor count from just two days prior, before the commencement of the Golden Week. Projections based on these trends estimate that by the end of the Golden Week, Hongyadong would have greeted about 900,000 visitors.
Such is the allure of China’s historical and cultural attractions that the illustrious Palace Museum in Beijing declared its tickets sold out for that Sunday, by noon. The demand was so intense that the museum’s bookings were full until October 6, as indicated by their online ticketing system.
The story was mirrored across other renowned attractions like the National Museum of China, the majestic Badaling Great Wall, and the Hunan Museum. Most of these locations either ran out of tickets or halted sales due to overwhelming demand. The Hunan Museum, in a bid to accommodate this enthusiastic crowd, has thoughtfully extended its service hours. Moreover, they have augmented their daily capacity by an additional 5,000 visitors throughout the eight-day festivity.
The Digital Perspective: Netizens Chime In
The sheer magnitude of the crowd was not just restricted to these famed tourist destinations. Several videos circulating online depicted massive gatherings at iconic sites such as the Great Wall, the picturesque Bund in Shanghai, and the spiritually uplifting Nanjing Confucius Temple, colloquially referred to as Fuzimiao. These visuals spurred witty reactions from netizens, with one humorously pointing out the pace at the Great Wall, saying, “Climbing the Great Wall isn’t tiring at all. In the current scenario, one can barely advance two steps in three minutes.”
Railways Record Astounding Figures
China’s railways weren’t spared from this tourist deluge either. According to statistics unveiled by China Railway, Saturday alone saw about 17.07 million passengers taking the train. This trend showed no signs of abating on Sunday, with an anticipated 17.2 million individuals expected to travel by train. Reflecting this, the total count of passenger trains was adjusted to 11,574, marking a rise of 1,179 from the usual numbers.
The Economic Implications: Tourism as an Economic Pillar
As the Golden Week proceeded, different Chinese provinces showcased remarkable tourism figures, hinting at a robust economic landscape. For instance, by 3 pm on a specific Saturday, Sichuan’s 857 A-level tourist attractions had played host to approximately 4.39 million tourists. This translated to ticket sales generating an impressive 51.76 million yuan ($7.1 million) in revenue. When placed against last year’s data, these figures signify a growth of 141.44% and 225.88% in visitor numbers and revenue, respectively, as reported by Sichuan Daily.
Forecasts by the China Ministry of Culture and Tourism paint an even broader picture. This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays are poised to witness a staggering 896 million domestic tourists, marking an 86% growth from the previous year.
In terms of economic indicators, the revenue from domestic tourism is predicted to touch 782.5 billion yuan, signifying a 138% growth year-on-year. These figures not only underline this Golden Week as the busiest in half a decade but also affirm the notion that tourism is evolving into a new phase. It’s now a prominent pillar bolstering China’s economic progress.
The Entertainment Sector: A Resounding Success
The entertainment industry too reaped the benefits of this festive fervor. Data from Maoyan, a prominent provider, indicated that by 3 pm on a certain Sunday, China’s box office revenue had already crossed the 1.2 billion yuan mark during this Golden Week. Intriguingly, domestic films dominated the top slots. “Under the Light”, “Ex-files 4: Marriage Plan”, and the riveting Korean War epic “The Volunteers: To the War” emerged as the frontrunners.
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