Shanghai proves popular with holidaymakers
Holidaymakers enjoy the view from the Bund.
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town was crowded during the holiday.
Shanghai recorded 8.83 million visits during the eight-day National Day holiday with countryside, cultural and ancient town tourism gaining in popularity, officials announced on Thursday.
That was 75 percent of the figure of the same period last year, according to the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism.
The city took in 13.5 billion yuan (US$1.99 billion) in tourism revenue during the holiday, 80 percent of last year’s total, it said.
More than 150 major tourist attractions across the city had 8.6 million visits from tourists and residents over the eight days, up 4 percent from the same period last year.
Between October 1 and 7, the occupancy rate of hotels in the city hit 66 percent, a growth of 16 percent over last year.
Scenic spots on Chongming Island recorded a combined 450,500 visits during the holiday, surging 166 percent from the same period last year, and the Shanghai International Resort had 710,000 visits, up 52.5 percent, according to the administration.
Visitors enjoy a parade at Haichang Ocean Park.
Children have fun in the open air.
Sheshan National Tourist Resort had 763,700 visits, up 55.56 percent.
The Bund and Lujiazui recorded 1.67 million and 1.48 million visits respectively during the holiday, 79 percent and 85 percent of last year's figures.
The Yuyuan Garden scenic area had 420,000 over the eight days, a rise of 29 percent from the same period last year.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower had 137,000 visits during the holiday, 84 percent of last year's figure. Zhujiajiao Ancient Town had 181,000, 60 percent of last year’s.
Chenshan Botanical Garden had 118,700, up 15 percent; Haichang Ocean Park 160,400, 76 percent of last year's, according to the administration.
A total of 100 museums across the city hosted 46 exhibitions during the holiday and recorded 754,000 visits, up 3.28 percent from the same period last year.
Fifty-five galleries received 221,200 visits in total, 72.5 percent of last year's figure.
Theatres across the city staged 569 performances, up 56 percent and attracting 315,000 visits, 96 percent of last year's figure.
Eight red tourism attractions in the city recorded a combined 172,500 visits during the holiday, growing 24 percent from last year.
A guide talks to holiday visitors at Haichang Ocean Park.
Visitors take part in a beer competition at Gongqing Forest Park.
During the holiday, there were 141 activities related to folk culture and customs, city sightseeing, nature and the countryside in the city, the administration said.
Shanghai residents were enthusiastic about traveling in their hometown during the holiday while people from other cities in the Yangtze River Delta region accounted for the majority of tourists in the city over the eight days, the administration said.
New tourism itineraries involving countryside life, culture, parents and children and ancient towns in the city's suburbs gaining in popularity during the holiday, the administration said.
Minsu (B&Bs) in the city were almost fully booked, and countryside parks in the city received a combined 450,000 visits during the holiday, surging 128 percent from the same period last year, it said.
Ancient towns, such as Zhujiajiao, Fengjing, Xinchang and Qibao, were favorite destinations for residents and tourists during the holiday, the administration said.
Parks across the city recorded 6.28 million visits during the holiday.
Women wear cheongsam pictured at the Bund.
Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Henan and Guangdong provinces accounted for the largest percentage of tourists in Shanghai during the holiday, according to the administration.
Shanghai's city tour and leisure tourism market is recovering rapidly and night tourism products by Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Shanghai Happy Valley and cultural venues like MOCA Shanghai and Aurora Museum had enriched the night tourism experiences of residents and tourists, the administration said.
More than 780 Huangpu River cruise trips operated during the holiday, receiving 157,600 visits, 75 percent of last year’s figure.
The Huangpu River bank areas that span five districts had 4.32 million visits in total during the holiday, 69 percent of last year’s figure, according to the administration.
