Beijing is attracting a growing number of foreign tourists this Spring Festival, as a diverse lineup of events pairs traditional Chinese celebrations with international cultural experiences.
In downtown Chaoyang Park, a themed market inspired by Russia’s Maslenitsa, the traditional festival marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, is drawing crowds. Colorful installations and decorative windmills line the square, where visitors sample Russian tea, blini pancakes and other delectable specialties.
"I'm very impressed, as always, it's so beautiful, red colors everywhere. It's just like two cultures together. That's what we need. I think that's an amazing gift for people in Beijing, for Russians, for Chinese. It's amazing!" said Arina, a Russian tourist.
Meanwhile, at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall, visitors can enjoy folk shows featuring dragon dances and intangible cultural heritage performances. Residents and international visitors alike are able to experience Chinese New Year customs firsthand while taking in the stunning scenery of the Great Wall.
"There's lots of decoration and music. Everyone is very nice and wishing happy new year. Beautiful area," said a tourist from New Zealand at the entrance to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.
During the first five days of the nine-day Spring Festival holiday, which began on Feb 15, Beijing welcomed 76,000 inbound tourists, an increase of nearly 50 percent year on year.
The Spring Festival, China’s most important holiday marked by family reunions, festive foods and the exchange of good wishes for the year ahead, fell on Feb 17 this year.
Int'l tourists flock to Beijing as Spring Festival blends tradition with global culture
China has overtaken North America to become the world's top-grossing film market so far in 2026, with box office revenue reaching 7 billion yuan (about 970 million U.S. dollars) as of Saturday, slightly above North America's 938 million U.S. dollars, according to online ticketing platforms.
The country's strong box office performance has largely been driven by its ongoing Spring Festival holiday, which began on Feb 15. So far, China's holiday ticketing revenue has exceeded 4.4 billion yuan, contributing over half of its total earnings this year.
During the nine-day holiday, a wide range of blockbuster films across different genres and themes premiered in theaters across China, providing the perfect backdrop for family reunions and festive fun.
Topping the Spring Festival sales chart was "Pegasus 3," the third installment in director Han Han's racing-comedy franchise starring Shen Teng, one of China's most bankable comedic actors. The film has amassed more than two billion yuan since its debut.
The first two films in the series were released during the 2019 and 2024 Spring Festival seasons, grossing a combined 5 billion yuan.
Spy thriller "Scare Out," directed by Zhang Yimou, ranked second on the chart with 701 million yuan in box office revenue. It was followed by the martial arts action film "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert," which grossed 577 million yuan.
In east China's Jiangsu Province, holidaymakers said watching movies has become a popular way to enjoy family gatherings and social interactions during the Spring Festival.
"The Spring Festival is a bond that brings the whole family together. Taking advantage of this occasion, our family gets together to watch a movie, enjoying a warm and happy time," said Jiang Hong, a moviegoer.
"The cinemas are packed. Sitting in the screening room, surrounded by laughter, the atmosphere of everyone celebrating the festival together is truly wonderful. Plus, going to the movies is an activity that the whole family can do together. I think this is the essence of the Chinese New Year," said Ms. Ying, a local resident.
"When watching a movie, we all get together and immerse ourselves in a shared virtual world. Although we don't communicate during the film, we can always exchange our thoughts afterwards. It is a great choice [for festive celebration]," said Luo Pingchuan, another moviegoer.
China becomes global box office champion so far in 2026
