New, diversified consumption scenarios enhance travel experience during Spring Festival travel rush

Tourism consumption in China has been significantly revitalized through the creation of innovative and diverse consumption scenarios during this year's Spring Festival travel rush.

The travel rush, often described as the world's largest annual human migration, highlights China's massive mobility and vibrant economic activity. This year, the rush started on Feb 2 and ended on March 13.

During the 40 days of this year's travel rush, themed trains like the "Panda Special Train" and those showcasing the unique characteristics of northeast China operated continuously, creating new consumption landscapes and fostering fresh spending opportunities while immersing passengers in an atmosphere rich with local specialties.

"The train features unique entertainment options to kill the time, making the experience truly exceptional," said a traveler.

During the period, an average of 650,000 rental cars were booked daily, a 15 percent increase year on year. The diverse transportation consumption scenarios have transformed regional service areas into popular spots for travelers. The Weifang West service area incorporated local intangible cultural heritage and miniature scenic landscapes into its lobby, enhancing the travel experience for visitors.

"There are regular cultural performances every day, especially during the Spring Festival, more than 30 percent of visitors engaged in cultural experience activities. We've created a 'fast entry, slow exit' service area economy that achieves both social and economic benefits," said Tian Guanghai, deputy general manager of Weifang Branch of Shandong Expressway Service Development Group Co., Ltd.

From basic fuel and charging services to a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, the innovative consumption experiences have brought tangible benefits to service areas. With the ongoing enhancement of civil aviation routes, many charming small towns have experienced a significant increase in passenger traffic. During this year's Spring Festival travel rush, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport's 18 domestic and international routes attracted a substantial number of tourists, resulting in a year-on-year passenger traffic increase of 19.8 percent. Local folk performances, immersive interactive experiences, and cultural products showcasing regional elements ensured that visitors had a truly memorable trip.

"It's incredibly convenient. With planes, highways, and high-speed trains, we can go anywhere we want. By day, we enjoy beautiful scenery, and by night, we experience cultural performances and savor local delicacies, not to mention the wealth of creative products available, all of which greatly satisfy our consumption desires," said a tourist.

New, diversified consumption scenarios enhance travel experience during Spring Festival travel rush

Pakistani warplanes struck several locations across Afghanistan on Thursday night and Friday, killing at least six people, including a woman and a child, and wounding more than a dozen others, local officials said.

The strikes hit a fuel depot near the country's Kandahar Airport, areas in the capital Kabul, and the eastern Nangarhar Province.

A Pakistani security source said the strikes targeted hideouts belonging to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In Kabul's 21st police district, one of the areas hit, a market was left in ruins. Several cars were destroyed, and windows of buildings in the market and nearby areas were shattered. A crater caused by the Pakistani airstrikes was also visible.

"This is my car. I had parked it here, and it was the only way I could bring food to my family's table. It was my sole source of income and my only means of employment. Now my car is in this condition, and I have no other way to provide for my family," said Mohamad Ghulam, a taxi driver.

The airstrikes destroyed a house, killing four members of a single family. More than a dozen other households in the area reported their homes either fully or partially destroyed.

One of the victims was 22-year-old Hedayatullah, who had just been married. He was killed alongside his pregnant wife, as well as his brother and sister.

"Hedayatullah got married nine months ago. His brother was 18 years old. He himself was 22 years old, he also had a 12-year-old sister, and his wife was about 19 years old and was pregnant," said Ghulam Sakhi, a relative of the victims.

"This neighbor of ours was a family of five. Their mother was not present at the moment of the bombardment, but the rest of them lost their lives. It was Hedayatuallah's family. From my own family, two of my daughters, my sister-in-law, my brother, and two nieces got injured," said Mohamad Homayoun, a survivor.

In the past weeks, scores of people from both sides have been killed or injured in the conflict between Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, according to officials from the two countries.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has called for an immediate halt to cross-border clashes, warning that the escalating violence is driving a surge in civilian casualties and deepening a humanitarian crisis.

At least 6 killed, more than a dozen wounded in Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan: officials