Taizhou's holiday tourism surges on power of cuisine, culture and sports

A hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) parade is held during the May Day holiday at the Fengcheng River scenic area in Taizhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Major tourist attractions, commercial zones and museums in Taizhou welcomed 1.06 million visits during the May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, generating 1.14 billion yuan ($167 million) in revenue. This represented an increase of 11.85 percent in visitor numbers and a 10.96 percent rise in revenue compared to the previous year.

Food remained one of the biggest attractions for visitors. In Taizhou, morning tea is regarded as an essential part of local life, and by 6:30 am, long queues had already formed outside popular breakfast restaurants.

At Qinhu Bay in Jiangyan district, tourists flocked to enjoy the freshest local flavors. Restaurants were filled with diners eager to try the "Eight Delicacies of Qinhu Lake", which features dishes made with yellow catfish, river shrimp and snails.

In Qixiang village of Huangqiao town, Taixing, the famous "Qixiang Eight Bowls" banquet became a holiday favorite thanks to its authentic taste and generous portions. Signature dishes include braised pork cooked in an iron pot, soft taro and slow-simmered chicken soup. The village received more than 45,000 tourist visits during the holiday.

A Yingge dance performance at Love Sea · Happy Countryside, a tourist attraction in Taizhou. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Cultural performances also added to the festive atmosphere. On May 1, a Yingge dance troupe staged a lively performance at Love Sea · Happy Countryside. Performers, dressed in colorful costumes and painted faces, wielded sticks as they danced, chanted and formed energetic formations to the beat of drums.

Sports events further fueled holiday spending. On May 2, the Taizhou team hosted the Yangzhou team in the Jiangsu Football City League at Taizhou Sports Park. The growing enthusiasm for the competition also boosted sales of sports-themed products. Cartoon football plush keychains became especially popular among young consumers, while refrigerator magnets and T-shirts also sold briskly.