Travelers flock to Zhongshan Road, a must-see scenic spot in Xiamen, during Labor Day holiday. [Photo/news.xmnn.cn]
Xiamen welcomed more than 2.1 million visitors during the four-day Labor Day holiday, up 18.70 percent from last year, statistics from the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism showed.
Tourism revenue surged 26.78 percent to 2.44 billion yuan ($361.06 million) during the period.
Xiamen's picturesque seaside scenery is the biggest draw for visitors, with Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, being the single most popular attraction, welcoming 198,000 visitors during the four-day break.
The study and research base in Jimei district was another highlight, entertaining more than 1,000 students with four activities, including a reading camp and a visit to old revolutionary areas.
Homestays in the city saw strong demand, especially in Gulangyu and Zengcuo'an, with more than 95 percent occupancy rates. Some homestays in Jimei district were fully booked.
As tolls for main bridges, channels and expressways were waived during the holiday, most travelers (94 percent to be specific) drove their own cars.
Thanks to easier access to Taiwan tour certificates and Xiamen's proximity to Jinmen, a city in Taiwan, many tourists paid a visit to the small island province after touring Xiamen.
China has launched a new pilot program to allow eligible enterprises greater access to overseas financing in support of green and low-carbon transformation projects, the country's foreign exchange regulator said on Aug 21.
To further streamline the experience, China is expanding tax refund stores, broadening the range of refundable goods, and refining refund procedures, ensuring an efficient and seamless shopping experience for global visitors.
