China sees tourism boom in county-level markets during May-day holiday

During the five-day May Day holiday from May 1 to May 5, travel destinations in lower-tier markets achieve a substantial surge in popularity, with improved infrastructure and enhanced hospitality capabilities.

Data from Ctrip, China's leading online travel agency, showed that hotel bookings and scenic spot ticket orders in county-level markets soared 68 percent and 151 percent respectively during the holiday, which ended on Sunday.

The smaller and county-level cities of Tumushuke, Baoshan, Huaihua, Chifeng, Hetian and Heze saw a sharp increase in air ticket bookings.

The tourism boom in these markets is attributed to the great improvement of infrastructure facilities in rural areas and the development of characteristic towns, according to experts.

"The rural service level along highways is constantly improving. The construction of service stations along highways, the improvement of environment and the upgrading of parking lots and charging facilities have all provided a strong support for the industrial development along highways," said Liu Dongmei, deputy director of the big data industry research and development center of the Research Institute of Highway under the Ministry of Transport.

To attract tourists, the county-level authorities have launched many entertainment activities and programs with local uniqueness.

In the suburb of Shanwei City in south China's Guangdong Province, folk artists performed kylin (a mythical creature in Chinese legend) dance to welcome tourists from far away.

"The performance is fantastic and full of traditional cultural elements," said a tourist while watching the kylin dance.

In Chengjiang City in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local villagers performed the grass lion dance to entertain tourists. The lion is made of grass and tree branches.

"This is the first time I've seen the grass lion dance. It's a novel experience to me because I've never seen it anywhere else," said a tourist named Shen Qi.

Meanwhile, in Nanjing City of east China's Jiangsu Province, many people spent the holiday in the countryside, where they could not only enjoy beautiful scenery, but taste the delicacies made by local farmers.

"The tofu made in this way tastes more delicious. It reminds me of my childhood," said a tourist surnamed Zhu.

Pingliang City in northwest China's Gansu Province is home to the Kongtong Mountain – a national 5A-level tourist attraction.

Many villages in the city have further tapped into their abundant natural resources to offer tourists with new traveling experience.

Xigou Village launched activities such as outdoor camping, gliding, and horse riding to entertain tourists. Haizhaigou Village has built a magnificent glass skywalk extending more than 600 meters and with an altitude of about 100 meters. Sigou Village has turned cave dwellings (unique houses commonly seen in northwest China) into restaurants and launched activities such as fruit and vegetable picking for tourists.

"This place is near the Kongtong Mountain and boasts water and other natural resources. I feel quite free with the breeze blowing on my face," said a tourist named Sun Cheng.

China sees tourism boom in county-level markets during May-day holiday

Baoshan, a city in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has implemented a raft of measures to ensure that disadvantaged children receive the care and support they need.

Home to about 41,900 vulnerable children, the city has recently inaugurated Baoshan Hanying Runze School, a model institution designed specifically for students facing difficult circumstances.

Founded in September, the school currently serves around 180 students from grades one to nine, most of whom come from underprivileged families.

"Most of our children lack parental care and family supervision. Here, our teachers are not only educators but also act as parents to the children. Each teacher looks after four to five students. During special holidays, we invite them to our homes," said Zhou Jie, the school's principal.

This unique brand of care permeates every corner of the school, where warmth and compassion define the environment.

"At this school, there's a warmth that feels like home - something I never experienced in my previous schools. The teachers are incredibly supportive, helping us in every aspect of our learning and daily lives," said Chen Zilin, a student.

The city's officials have also rolled out targeted assistance for impoverished families, ensuring their children's safety while offering essential livelihood support.

"Every three months, we visit the children to understand their needs, identify any challenges they face, and determine what kind of assistance is required," said Zhao Yankai, a staff member with the Jinji Township Government, under the jurisdiction of Baoshan City.

In addition, Baoshan has partnered with China Mobile, a major telecom provider, to create a special platform that enables young students at the school to video chat with their families while they board.

Baoshan launches initiatives to support underprivileged children