Weather brings out the holiday crowds

Pleasant weather and the wide variety of activities on offer contributed to a 33 percent increase in the number of tourists at the city's 161 scenic spots during the four-day May Day holiday, tourism authorities said on Saturday.

The attractions welcomed a total of 5.6 million people, according to the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in Qingpu District had 268,000 visitors, 55 percent more than in the same period last year, while Shanghai Wild Animal Park in the Pudong New Area had 220,500, a 73 percent rise.

Chenshan Botanical Garden in Songjiang District received more than 87,000 visitors over the four days, double last year's figure, while Shanghai Zoo in Changning District had more than 160,000 visitors, a rise of over 30 percent.

Huangpu River cruise tours were enjoyed by some 110,000 people on 480 trips, 46.7 percent up on the same period last year, while more than 5.6 million people visited the 45-kilometer Huangpu River riverfront during the holiday, according to the administration.

The Bund had 1.29 million visitors, while the Yuyuan Garden area had 396,800.

Shanghai International Tourism Resort had 318,000 visitors, up 18 percent.

Cultural venues were popular during the holiday due to exhibitions and other activities as museums and art galleries across the city welcomed 513,000 and 160,000 people respectively during the holiday, the administration said.

Zhujiajiao and Fengjing water towns and Guangfulin Relics Park in Songjiang District were favored for their traditional folk custom allure, while Wukang Road and Xujiahui Park in Xuhui District, where stories behind garden villas were shared and concerts were held, were popular with young people as well as tourists, the administration said.

At Jinshanzui Fishing Village in Jinshan District, traditional Chinese opera, clay modeling and games attracted many families with children.

Shanghai Tour Bus Center handled 8,769 tourists during the holiday with the top five destinations being Dangkou Ancient Town in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, Wuzhen in Zhejiang Province; Zhouzhuang ancient town in Jiangsu; Jinshanzui Fishing Village and Chongming Island. 

Imaginechina