Destinations across China have rolled out a variety of cultural and tourism programs for the five-day May Day holiday, which started on Friday, as travelers embrace both short suburban getaways and long-distance trips.
In Jiangxi Province, Shangrao has launched a sightseeing train linking scenic destinations including Mount Sanqing and Mount Guifeng, the latter recognized by UNESCO for its striking Danxia landform.
On board, eight themed settings -- ranging from parent-child interaction to study tours and leisure gatherings -- offer travelers new ways to enjoy the ride.
"This train is truly unique. Through the windows we can see green mountains and clear waters, and every carriage brings a new surprise. The overall experience is exceptionally good," said Xu Pei, a passenger.
"I have never traveled like this before. Every time I travel in China by train I will find a different China," said Elhadi, a tourist from Sudan.
In Zhejiang Province, a 2.2-kilometer sightseeing train along the Nantiao Creek in Hangzhou's Yuhang District has become a popular holiday choice. The route makes use of existing railway facilities and local water resources to create a distinctive travel experience.
"Rail trips for spring outings and trendy May Day activities have led to a noticeable increase in visitor traffic, injecting new vitality into the countryside," said Tang Hongbin, an official in charge of boosting local rural tourism.
In Shanxi Province, a camping site in Shouyang County has provided holidaymakers with a lively atmosphere.
In Beijing's Shijingshan District, the renovated Shougang Park staged a series of cultural events during the holiday.
A music carnival brought in bands to perform, while large interactive art installations transformed the century-old industrial site into a new landmark.
Cultural, tourism programs enrich China’s May Day holiday travel
Armed police officers and soldiers, in coordination with multiple professional rescue forces, are conducting in-depth search and rescue operations for missing people in the core disaster zone in Mingkeng Village of east China's Jiangxi Province.
At around 07:00 on Tuesday, the rescue headquarters integrated 12 professional teams, including the armed police, public security, and the fire department, to launch a search-and-rescue operation for missing persons in the hardest-hit area of the Shixia group of Mingkeng Village.
As of 18:00 on Tuesday, the mudslide that occurred in the early hours of Saturday has killed 12 people, including one newly identified missing person found in subsequent searches. At present, one person remains unaccounted for, and rescue forces are intensifying their search and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the Ji'an Detachment of the Jiangxi Armed Police Force deployed officers and soldiers to extend rescue efforts to surrounding disaster-affected townships.
On Tuesday morning, rescuers split into multiple teams and rushed to several villages in Zuo'an Township and Tanghu Township of Suichuan County to urgently evacuate the trapped residents.
Trapped in mountainous areas, villagers faced destroyed access roads and mountain paths that became slippery and impassable after days of heavy rainfall; most stranded residents were elderly people with limited mobility. The armed police officers and soldiers conducted door-to-door checks and carried the trapped residents on their backs, successfully evacuating all of them to safe zones.
"All village roads are completely impassable. The local residents here are all left-behind elderly people and children, and it is extremely difficult to complete the evacuation relying solely on the strength of the town government officials. This time, we are deeply indebted to the armed police officers and soldiers for their assistance in evacuating all these elderly residents," said Wang Yuli, deputy mayor of Tanghu Township in Suichuan County.
"The mountain slopes are covered in thick mud, making the ground extremely slippery. In some sections, stretchers cannot pass through at all, so rescuers have to carry the stranded people on their backs. As long as the people are safe, it is worthwhile to endure all the hardship and exhaustion," said Jiang Jiang, a soldier of the Ji'an Detachment of the Jiangxi Armed Police Force.
Rescuers intensify search efforts in mudslide-hit village in east China's Jiangxi
