Attractions across China embrace May Day holiday tourism boom

Attractions across China are embracing a tourist boom during the five-day May Day holiday season beginning on Thursday.

In south China's Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, a mega bridge connecting Guangdong's Zhuhai City with neighboring Hong Kong and Macao, is one of the most popular tourist destinations.

The total number of visits of the bridge during the holiday has exceeded 6,800, about 50 percent more than that on normal days.

"I am indeed feeling very proud [of this mega project], a big thumbs-up for our great country!" said a tourist surnamed Ke.

In the Tianmen Mountain scenic area in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, performances featuring local folk customs are amazing tourists from home and abroad.

"I think it's really traditional in China, the costumes and the dance. We really like it," said tourist Julie from France.

"I love the performance. I felt like it was very immersive, and with the view, it's crazy. I'll recommend everyone thinking of coming here for sure," said tourist Duarte from Portugal.

In northwest China's Gansu Province, the famous Mogao Grottoes are also see a peak of visits during the holiday, as the tickets, which are limited to 6,000 per day, would all sell out well in advance.

Built between the 4th and 14th centuries, the Mogao Grottoes are home to a vast collection of Buddhist artworks, with more than 2,000 colored sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals located in 735 caves, carved along the cliffs by ancient worshipers.

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains, more than 1,900 meters above sea level, had the ice floes on it thawed just before the holiday, offering tourists a breathtaking view.

"This is my first time to visit the lake. The view is shockingly beautiful when you see it in person!" said tourist Chen Yanru from northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Xinjiang's Manas county is a famous destination for self-driving tours because of the region's diverse natural landscapes, such as yardangs, the Danxia landform, river valleys, canyons, alpine meadows and forests.

"It's a very worthwhile trip for the holiday. I am amazed by the picturesque scenery of Xinjiang," said tourist Zhou Chenchong from Shanghai.

Attractions across China embrace May Day holiday tourism boom

Local residents spontaneously helped each other to overcome the difficulties after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela.

A pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 920 people and trapping many under the rubble. The quakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

International aids are pouring in for the disaster-hit South American country while rescuers have been searching through collapsed buildings to find survivors.

On Friday evening local time, large number of vehicles carrying rescue personnel and relief materials caused traffic congestions on roads as they flooded into the state of La Guaira state, the hardest-hit state of the country.

Many of the vehicles were loaded with relief supplies such as drinking water and food, while others were filled with daily necessities such as mattresses and furniture.

The town of Katia Lamar, one of the worst-hit areas in the state, remains out of power, with a pungent odor lingering in the air. Some local residents have spontaneously participated in disaster relief efforts.

"We are currently doing community service, helping those who need it most. We are all doing this voluntarily, and everything we do comes from our hearts. Many people need us right now, and Venezuela needs greater unity," said Hector, a resident who volunteered for disaster relief.

"People brought a lot of help, including food, diapers, medicine, drinking water, juice, drinks, as well as candy and baby food for the children," said an affected resident.

As the earthquakes destroyed residential buildings, many residents had no choice but to rest and spend the night in nearby open spaces.

"We'll rest here tonight and keep an eye on our belongings. These are things we managed to salvage from the apartment, some in relatively good condition," said a resident.

Venezuelans volunteer to help fellow residents after deadly earthquakes