Holiday innovations boost pre-May Day holiday tourism surge in China

As the May Day holiday approaches, tourism is gaining momentum across China, with destinations rolling out creative experiences and upgraded offerings.

In east China's Shanghai Municipality, shopping districts are introducing themed markets and exclusive product launches to fuel the festive atmosphere.

Major commercial districts and landmarks are rolling out themed markets, IP collaborations, and new product promotions.

The food and beverage sector is also gearing up for the holiday rush, introducing limited-time festive menus, with many restaurants and hotels already fully booked.

"We expect May Day foot traffic to increase by more than 50 percent compared to usual. Private dining rooms are basically fully booked," said Zhang Yuqiu, a manager at a local restaurant.

Zhangjiajie, a picturesque tourist destination in Hunan Province in central China, is seeing the inbound tourism market already heated up before the holiday with a large number of international visitors arriving to explore the scenic destination.

Inbound tourists now account for more than 50 percent of the park's daily visitors.

"It's so beautiful here -- very, very beautiful. It's amazing. The mountains, the lakes, and I think we are in Avatar; it's like in the movie," said a French tourist.

"I love Zhangjiajie, it's very amazing, the sightseeing and I enjoyed a good time. I love China," said a Russian tourist.

Meanwhile, in Nanning City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, recreational vehicle rentals have become a popular choice for families scheduling multi-city road trips across the region.

Many tourists prefer to drive recreational vehicles to explore Nanning City before heading to other destinations like Chongzuo, Baise, and Beihai. This May Day holiday, recreational vehicle rentals have become extremely popular.

"We've basically reached about 80 percent in bookings. Most of our recreational vehicle customers are families with children, mainly traveling with elderly parents and kids. The vehicle space is quite large," said Jing Hui, an employee with a recreational vehicle rental company.

Holiday innovations boost pre-May Day holiday tourism surge in China

The Standing Committee of China's 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 22nd session on Thursday morning in Beijing.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to approve the revised Prison Law and Social Assistance Law, remove Han Jun from the post of minister of agriculture and rural affairs, appoint Zhang Zhu as the minister, and appoint Zhang Chengzhong as minister of emergency management.

President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders on the removal and appointments.

NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the closing meeting, which also approved a deputy qualification report.

The meeting adopted decisions on approving a treaty on judicial assistance in criminal affairs between China and Azerbaijan, and a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The legislators voted to remove Feng Yi from the post of deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, among other appointments and removals. Zhao presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting.

The Standing Committee held an oath-taking ceremony to pledge allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People on the day.

China's top legislature concludes standing committee session