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China sees quantum leap in travels, spending during National Day holiday

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China sees quantum leap in travels, spending during National Day holiday

2024-10-09 14:12 Last Updated At:14:57

China handled 765 million domestic trips in total during the week-long National Day holiday, with tourists spending more than 700 billion yuan (99.1 billion U.S. dollars), official statistics showed. 

Both the number of travelers and tourism-related revenue outperforming the pre-epidemic level during the holiday, which ran from Oct 1 to Oct 7.  

As estimated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's data center, the amount of domestic trips made a 5.9-percent growth year on year, also a 10.2-percent rise from the same period in 2019. 

Domestic tourists spent a total of 700.8 billion yuan, reflecting a 6.3-percent increase year on year and a 7.9-percent rise from 2019.

This year's National Day marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

The "red-themed tourism" featuring patriotism was particularly popular, with visits to revolutionary sites and exhibitions surging 40 percent in daily bookings compared to last year.

In Dunhuang of northwest China's Gansu Province, visitors at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot gathered to sing patriotic songs at night. 

In Yan'an of Shaanxi Province, the city once serving as headquarters of the Communist Party of China (CPC), an immersive musical drama "Yan'an Thirteen Years" allowed tourists to follow the performers and "touch" the piece of revolutionary history. 

Cultural performances, sports events, and expanded cultural spaces also boosted the popularity of urban shopping areas and performance markets. 

During the holiday, national-level night-time cultural and tourism consumption areas included in traffic statistics attracted 96.86 million visitors nationwide.

There were 44,300 commercial performances nationwide, a 14.5-percent increase from the previous year, with audience totaling 11.697 million, up by 13.3 percent.

Throughout the National Day holiday, nearly 3,900 events related to intangible cultural heritage practices were held across the country. The country's museums and World Heritage sites welcomed over 60 million visitors, setting a new record.

Additionally, residents living in cities also tasted fresh, healing rural experience in over 1,000 rural creative lifestyle entertainment activities. 

According to the National Film Administration, the box office during the 2024 National Day period reached 2.104 billion yuan, with domestic films accounting for 2.017 billion yuan, making up 95.87 percent of the total. 

Over 52 million movie-goers attended screenings during this period.

China sees quantum leap in travels, spending during National Day holiday

China sees quantum leap in travels, spending during National Day holiday

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Sao Paulo Chinese cinema festival casts lens on China for Brazilian viewers

2024-11-04 21:09 Last Updated At:21:57

The 9th Chinese Cinema Festival in Sao Paulo, taking place as Brazil and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, packed theaters with audiences eager to see classic and modern Chinese films.

With 14 movies to choose from, the event proved an overwhelming success. One film buff was drawn by his interest in Chinese martial arts.

"I really liked it. I enjoy Kung Fu films. I practiced martial arts for quite a while, so I'm really interested in this," said Hector Felix, a sales assistant.

The festival was organized with the support of Sao Paulo's Confucius Institute, one of the most important organizations working to spread Chinese culture around the world, including in Brazil.

"A lot of people from other countries are very interested in China, not only in its current development but also the history of China and why China can develop so fast. That must have something to do with its history and Chinese culture. So that's why language and culture are very important for us to know, and that's what our Confucius Institute is doing now," said Ye Dan, director of the Confucius Institute.

As Brazil and China continue to strengthen their political and economic ties, there is also space for events like this Cinema Festival to enhance cultural integration between the two nations.

Romualdo Matos, a Portuguese language teacher, said he was taking the opportunity to broaden his knowledge of Chinese cinema and culture.

"I find it interesting how they value antiquity and ancestry. Even in more modern films, I notice they emphasize this connection to culture and tradition. For a long time, we came to know China through its products, and now we are getting to know China through its culture. This is really great," said Matos.

As the theme of the festival — "Far... But Close" — suggests, Brazil and China may be physically distant, but cultural exchange can help build a bridge and bring these two sides of the planet closer together.

Sao Paulo Chinese cinema festival casts lens on China for Brazilian viewers

Sao Paulo Chinese cinema festival casts lens on China for Brazilian viewers

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