China's Spring Festival is drawing unprecedented international crowds this year, with foreign tourist arrivals in the holiday's opening days soaring 312 percent, fueled by visa-free entry and tax refund incentives, industry figures show.
The Spring Festival, China's most important holiday marked by family reunions, festive foods and New Year wishes, fell on Tuesday this year. The nine-day holiday period starting from Sunday is now in full swing.
According to online platform data, the most popular destinations for inbound travelers include Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Haikou, Chongqing, Wuhan and Harbin.
Beijing rolled out ten inbound tourism routes linking landmarks such as the Temple of Heaven and the Bell Tower, where overseas visitors joined intangible cultural heritage parades and explored hutong alleyways for an immersive taste of the New Year.
In Shanghai, traditional stilt performances and fish-lantern parades lit up the historic Shikumen neighborhoods, blending folk customs with modern flair and offering foreign tourists vivid snapshots of the holiday spirit.
An Italian visitor said that it's great to see beautiful shows being spread, offering hope for the future.
Meanwhile, Chongqing’s dramatic mountain cityscape and vibrant consumer scenes are enticing international visitors to linger longer and explore a wider range of experiences.
"Chongqing is incredible, just beautiful sites everywhere and beautiful buildings," said an Australian tourist.
Increasing numbers of overseas visitors are going beyond sightseeing to immerse themselves in Chinese traditions, learning to write "Fu" blessing characters, making dumplings, and experiencing intangible cultural heritage. Many are also sharing their Spring Festival journeys on global social media platforms, amplifying the holiday’s reach worldwide.
Global visitors immerse in cultural experiences during China's Spring Festival
Global visitors immerse in cultural experiences during China's Spring Festival
Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday traded fresh drone attacks overnight, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces amid a military leadership reshuffle.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in its latest report that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 209 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the Moscow region and other parts of the country, as well as over Crimea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
Acting Governor of Russia's Belgorod Region Alexander Shuvaev said Ukrainian attacks over the past 24 hours had killed nine people and injured 77 others in the border region.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia launched 58 attack drones from 18:00 local time Monday. According to preliminary data, Ukraine's air defense forces shot down or electronically suppressed 46 drones over the country's northern, southern and eastern regions.
Oleh Hryhorov, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, said a Russian drone strike injured six people.
Also on Tuesday,Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that repeated statements by the European Union and NATO members expressing willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine were "absolutely unacceptable" to Russia.
Peskov said one of the reasons for Russia's 'special military operation was to prevent foreign troops from entering Ukrainian territory.
He also said that the Russian forces would continue striking vessels transporting equipment, weapons and other military supplies to Ukraine.
Later on Tuesday, Zelensky announced in a video address the appointment of Mykhailo Drapatyi as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine following days of protests in the country.
Drapatyi joined the Ukrainian military in 2004 and previously served as commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces and commander of the Joint Forces Grouping.
The appointment came after Ukrainian media, citing lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada, reported that Zelensky had dismissed Oleksandr Syrskyi from the post.
On July 15, then Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced his resignation. He later accused Syrskyi of obstructing military reforms and refusing to openly address problems within the armed forces.
Fedorov's resignation has triggered several days of protests in Ukraine.
Russia, Ukraine trade fresh drone attacks as Kiev replaces top military commander
