Monday, October 7, 2024 Shanghai, renowned as a vibrant economic powerhouse and a premier tourist attraction, has witnessed a significant boost in cultural and tourism activities with the recent celebration of its 35th Tourism Festival. This year’s event coincided with the National Day holiday, commonly known as “golden week,” which began on October 1. Running from September 14 to the festival’s conclusion on Sunday, the celebration captivated both residents and global visitors alike.
It featured an exciting lineup of parades and cultural exhibitions that highlighted the city’s rich heritage and lively arts scene. This year’s festival achieved remarkable tourism consumption, reaching 92.4 billion yuan (around 13 billion U.
S. dollars), a notable increase of 4.2% compared to the last festival.
Hotel occupancy rates during this period climbed to 61%, a 2 percentage point rise from the previous year, according to local administration data. A highlight of the festivities was the “Great Art of Dunhuang” exhibition, which launched during the festival and will be available until December. This exhibition presents 168 exquisite artworks from the Dunhuang Academy collection, attracting over 40,000 visitors since its opening on September 20 and generating ticket sales exceeding 200,000.
Many guests embraced tradition by wearing Hanfu, enhancing the cultural experience. International performance teams, returning after a five-year absence, added to the festival’s vibranc.