Major attractions report strong visitor numbers
2026-02-26 19:02:06
By Yan Wanqin
Yichang experienced a tourism boom during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, hosting 203 cultural events that blended tradition, technology, and winter sports. Major scenic spots reported double-digit growth as the city's tourism market thrived.
The Three Gorges Dam Tourism Area was packed for seven consecutive days from February 15 to 23, with visitor numbers surging over 54 percent compared to last year. On February 20 alone, the site reached its maximum capacity of 36,000 visitors in just four and a half hours.
Other attractions also saw impressive gains. The Tribe of the Three Gorges Scenic Area reported record highs, with visitor numbers and revenue both increasing by over 50 percent from the previous year, driven by festive activities such as folk blessing performances. The Qing River Gallery welcomed 54,500 visitors, a 12.6 percent increase, setting a new single-day record for the Spring Festival.
"Two Gorges and One Dam" cruise ships sold out for five consecutive days, attracting 82,500 visitors, a 23.5 percent increase. Night cruises proved even more popular, with visitor numbers soaring nearly 144 percent.
Traditional cultural displays were the highlights during the holiday. At Yichang Children's Park, 26 illuminated lantern sets accompanied performances on the main and auxiliary stages, along with intangible cultural heritage fairs. The lantern festival drew more than 420,000 visitors throughout the holiday.
Yichang experienced a tourism boom during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, hosting 203 cultural events that blended tradition, technology, and winter sports. Major scenic spots reported double-digit growth as the city's tourism market thrived.
The Three Gorges Dam Tourism Area was packed for seven consecutive days from February 15 to 23, with visitor numbers surging over 54 percent compared to last year. On February 20 alone, the site reached its maximum capacity of 36,000 visitors in just four and a half hours.
Other attractions also saw impressive gains. The Tribe of the Three Gorges Scenic Area reported record highs, with visitor numbers and revenue both increasing by over 50 percent from the previous year, driven by festive activities such as folk blessing performances. The Qing River Gallery welcomed 54,500 visitors, a 12.6 percent increase, setting a new single-day record for the Spring Festival.
"Two Gorges and One Dam" cruise ships sold out for five consecutive days, attracting 82,500 visitors, a 23.5 percent increase. Night cruises proved even more popular, with visitor numbers soaring nearly 144 percent.
Traditional cultural displays were the highlights during the holiday. At Yichang Children's Park, 26 illuminated lantern sets accompanied performances on the main and auxiliary stages, along with intangible cultural heritage fairs. The lantern festival drew more than 420,000 visitors throughout the holiday.
Visitors participate in fun activities at Bailihuang Ski Resort on February 21. Photo by Zhang Guorong.
Yichang capitalized on its winter tourism resources by launching four themed itineraries that combine skiing, hot springs, and local cuisine, linking five ski resorts with multiple hot spring destinations. The slopes at Wufeng International Ski Resort were busy with skiers from Wuhan and neighboring cities, as well as visitors from as far as Guangdong Province.
New technologies also enhanced visitor experiences. The DreamWorks Animation-themed retail destination, an immersive commercial space, attracted an average of over 10,000 daily visitors. Additionally, the Hometown of Qu Yuan Tourist Area opened a digital exhibition hall featuring virtual reality and projection mapping to bring ancient poetry to life. Visitors stood beneath a virtual night sky from Qu Yuan's era, gaining a fresh perspective on how the stars inspired his classic works.
Yang Jing also contributed to this story.
