China’s spring blossoms drive tourism boom, new business models

Spring blossoms are drawing record crowds across China, with millions flocking to riversides, hillsides and markets as local authorities roll out new tourism and consumption drives.

In Tianjin, a riverside walkway lined with peach trees has become a magnet for visitors in recent days, its winding path appearing from above like a pink ribbon draped along the riverbank.

Local authorities this year are boosting tourism with interactive activities, including photo spots, costume rentals and riverboat performances.They have also launched free customized shuttle bus routes linking major attractions, with more than 140,000 visits recorded during the past weekend. In Yingping Town of Shandong Province, apricot blossoms are drawing visitors as hillsides turn into a popular spring destination and local tourism gains momentum. "I'm really happy to be here. The apricot blossoms are beautiful, and I came here with friends to take photos as we had planned," said visitor Zhang Ru.

In recent years, Yingping Town has promoted rural tourism by pairing apricot blossom viewing with fruit picking, turning the area into a popular getaway while supporting local industries and rural revitalization.

"We are using our expansive apricot blossoms as a draw to turn visitor interest into real foot traffic and make rural tourism truly thrive," said Li Zhen, a staff member at the town.

In the mountainous hinterland of Tongbai County in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, vast stretches of wild cherry blossoms are in full bloom, with pink and white flowers set against lush green tea plantations, attracting visitors to the countryside.

The interplanting of cherry trees and tea shrubs in the county is enhancing the landscape while supporting local livelihoods, improving soil quality and preventing erosion. As the spring tea harvest approaches, flower‑viewing tourism is driving growth in tea‑picking experiences, tea tasting, and homestay services, providing fresh momentum for rural revitalization.

In Wudu District of Longnan, Gansu Province, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, drawing visitors who stroll among the flowers and take photos in the spring weather. Authorities are taking full advantage of the blossoms to boost rural tourism and local industries.

"The weather warmed up early this year in Wudu. Seeing the beautiful cherry blossoms really lifted my mood," said visitor Li Ting.

In Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province, flower markets and exhibitions are drawing large crowds as florists introduce new business models, from flower rentals to customized miniature gardens, bringing nature into daily life.

China’s spring blossoms drive tourism boom, new business models

An adorable giant panda cub has been seen enjoying a bowl of milk and later cosily lying on a wooden platform after getting a little muddy during messy playtime in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The playful panda, with its hair all wet and frizzy and covered in mud after presumably rolling around in its enclosure, is seen happily slurping on a bowl of milk provided by a panda keeper.

Later, the mischievous cub appears to be a little tired out from its exuberant activities, and is seen curled up having a rest on its wooden climbing frame.

Shared by the iPanda channel, this charming look into the life of panda cubs at the Wolong Shenshuping Base of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) was filmed on February 28.

The adorable cub is one of a pigeon pair of cubs -- born in August 2025 at the CCRCGP -- to the giant panda Jia Mei.

The CCRCGP is a world-leading institution dedicated to the breeding and conservation of the giant panda. The center has established the world's largest captive population of giant pandas and pioneered research on captive breeding and training for rewilding.

The center also holds the largest global platform for promoting international cooperation and exchanges on Panda conservation, involving 18 zoos from 16 countries and regions, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 scientific research institutes.

Panda cub enjoys bowl of milk, afternoon snooze at conservation base