The warm spring has brought with it a seasonal tourism boom across China, as visitors from home and aboard throng various tourist attractions to bask in the enchanting views of vibrant colors.
In the city of Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province, over 500,000 cherry trees are in full bloom, drawing visitors from near and far.
Wuhan University, one of the top spots for cherry blossom viewing, has seen a daily number of tourist visits exceeding 40,000.
"We're a family of three from Ma'anshan, Anhui. Beyond the cherry blossoms, I feel that the people here are open and warm-hearted," said Mr. Rong, a tourist.
East Lake Cherry Blossom Garden has also seen massive crowds, receiving over 400,000 visitor trips since its opening on March 6. In addition to cherry blossoms, the park also has cultural performances, including Chu Opera, to entertain the visitors.
Wuhan's new visa-free policy for foreign visitors has further boosted tourism, with foreign travelers at the local Tianhe Airport increasing by 160 percent compared to last year.
"I'm from Chile, and my wife is an Italian. We came here together to see the cherry blossoms. Wuhan has a unique culture and environment. It has water, cherry blossoms, and mountains. I really love it," said tourist Joaquin Couchot.
In Linqing City, located in east China's Shandong Province, thousands flocked to Tangyuan Town after the spring equinox -- marking the start of the spring season, which fell on March 20 this year -- to watch an expansive sea of apricot flowers. The 67-hectare farm with hundreds of century-old apricot trees also serve as a hub for showcasing cultural heritage, local food, and crafts, boosting jobs and the local economy as well.
"It feels amazing here and the weather is nice today. The beautiful flowers here are in full bloom. Just now I spent some time walking around with my friend and bought a lot of stuff. I'm looking forward to coming back in May to pick some apricots," said Ms. Jin, a tourist.
Meanwhile, in Hanshan County, Anhui in east China, an abandoned quarry has got a new lease on life after renovation and now hosts a sea of blooming rapeseed flowers spanning over 67 hectares.
"I've only seen rapeseed flowers in crop fields, but this is the first time I've seen them in a quarry. It's really a unique experience," said Ms. Song, another tourist.
The seasonal beauty, along with local food and crafts, has led to a surge in bookings for mountain lodges and increased sales of distinctive agricultural products, driving a "spring economy" across the country.
Spring blossoms fuel tourism boom across China
