The city of Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, has received a tourism boost after making presence as one of the four sub-venues in the 2025 Spring Festival Gala live broadcast on Jan 28, the eve of Chinese New Year, with the city's iconic landmarks drawing an increasing number of visitors from across the country.
As China's most-watched TV program, the annual Spring Festival Gala, also known as "Chunwan," is a long-standing tradition featuring a wide range of performances, including comedy, songs, dances, acrobatics, and magic. This year, the Gala expanded its stage to four sub-venues: Wuhan, Chongqing, Lhasa, and Wuxi.
Online platforms reported a year-on-year surge of 1,160 percent in searches for Wuhan, and hotel bookings in the city rose by nearly 118 percent from the previous year, driven by increased interest in the famous Yellow Crane Tower.
On the first day of the Chinese New Year on Jan 29, the historic tourist site became the first stop for many tourists to Wuhan.
"The peak in visitor flow is projected to occur from the second to the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, with an estimated 28,000 visitors per day, an increase of 12.15 percent compared to last year," said Li Xuan, a staff member of the Yellow Crane Tower park management office.
During the eight-day Spring Festival holiday starting from the Spring Festival's eve, the park has also offered traditional celebrations such as lantern riddles and poetry interactions, along with immersive performances featuring bell music and dance, allowing visitors to explore the cultural richness of the Jingchu region.
The Jingchu culture, rooted in Hubei Province’s central and southern regions, blends ancient Chu traditions, vibrant folklore, and a deep connection to the Yangtze River, reflecting the region's historical significance and cultural diversity.
"We showcased Wuhan's Chu culture and technology to the world via the Gala. Wuhan welcomes you," said Wu Yanchen, an actor.
The Bagong's House, a century-old historical building in Hankou District, has also attracted tourists who came to take photos and enjoy the location after it was featured at the Gala.
"I specially came here to explore Wuhan, as it was a sub-venue of the Gala," said Lu Yunzhu, a tourist from Xi'an, another historic city in northwest China.
Shanhaiguan Street, known for its famous breakfast culture, was packed with tourists eager to experience Wuhan's local delicacies and snacks.
As night fell, many visitors opted for a boat ride along the Yangtze River to take in the city's stunning night views.
With live band performances, water temple fairs and dazzling light shows across the riverbanks, Wuhan's vibrant nightlife became another popular attraction.
"I've grown up by the Yangtze River, and I feel so proud to show our city's development to viewers across our country," said a resident surnamed Li.
Wuhan receives tourism boost after featuring on Spring Festival Gala
