Chongqing - As many across China debated whether to travel for vacation or return home for the Chinese New Year, Chongqing residents found a new option this year. During the Chinese New Year holiday, Chongqing's cultural and scenic spots experienced a surge in visitors, with tourists immersing themselves in the local culture and history, making for a harmonious holiday.
This year, the Dazu Rock Carvings Scenic Area introduced the "Joyous Chinese New Year" series of activities, offering sincere Chinese New Year blessings, diverse cultural and educational events, and captivating folk performances that attracted numerous visitors seeking unique experiences. From New Year's Eve to the seventh day of the lunar month, the number of visitors to the Dazu Rock Carvings Scenic Area reached 114,000, marking a 33.42% increase compared to 2023.
In addition to admiring the rock carvings, visitors enjoyed various educational activities that received unanimous praise. Calligraphy teachers patiently guided visitors in writing Lunar New Year blessings, children enthusiastically stamped and imprinted rubbings of the carved inscriptions, and visitors were thrilled to receive free bamboo dragon lanterns. These interactive cultural activities enhanced the visiting experience, added to the festive atmosphere, and helped visitors better understand historical customs, thus promoting the inheritance and promotion of traditional culture.
Folk performance in the Dazu Rock Carvings scenic spot. (Photo/ Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute)
Throughout the Spring Festival, various performances could be seen throughout the scenic area, accompanied by constant applause and cheers from the audience. Within the prayer hall, traditional classical music and dance interpreted the millennia-old rhythm of the rock carvings. Adjacent to the museum, outstanding folk performances such as acrobatics and lion dances created a festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year. Visitors paused to admire and applaud, truly immersed in the celebrations.
Furthermore, the Chongqing Hongyan Revolution History Museum and its affiliated scenic areas also hosted various colorful cultural activities, such as "Chinese New Year Calligraphy Blessings," which were highly praised by visitors. According to statistics, during the Spring Festival holiday, approximately 439,800 visitors came to the museum and its affiliated scenic areas. The popularity of the Yang Shangkun Former Residence Scenic Area in Tong'nan was also exceptionally high, receiving over 180,000 visitors during the Spring Festival holiday. Visitors immersed themselves in the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional architectural decorations, bringing home beautiful blessings for the Chinese New Year.