China's 2026 summer box office, including presales, exceeded 1 billion yuan (about 1.48 billion U.S. dollars) as of Saturday, according to film data platform Beacon.
The summer movie season in China, running from June 1 through Aug 31, is one of the country's most lucrative periods for film screening.
More than 80 Chinese and international films have been scheduled for release during the summer period, offering audiences a diverse range of cinematic choinces.
In addition to the new releases, many popular films are still screening and performing well in cinemas. Among the standout performers, China's word-of-mouth movie sensation "Dear You" has grossed more than 1.8 billion yuan at the domestic box office as of Friday.
China's summer box office tops 1 billion yuan
From making sticky rice dumplings to participating in dragon boat races, many international travelers in south China's Hainan Province have chosen cultural immersion over standard sightseeing during this traditional Dragon Boat Festival holiday.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it fell on June 19.
It is a time to get rid of misfortune as venomous animals and insects were believed to appear at this juncture. It is also a time to commemorate the beloved Chinese poet Qu Yuan (339-278 BC) from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), a poet who is known today for his patriotism and contributions to classical verse. Its signature tradition -- the dragon boat racing -- dates back over 2,000 years.
At the Hainan Ocean Paradise Resort, the holiday spirit was palpable. Visitors from around the world participated in dragon boat performances, workshops for making sticky rice dumplings, or zongzi, and other festive activities.
Staff also prepared special zongzi made with fish and jelly ingredients for dolphins.
"The trip has been absolutely wonderful. This is our second time here. We love it so much, and we will definitely be back. We have tried on every single holiday activity the resort has offered," said Artemis, a tourist from Russia.
Hainan is attracting more international visitors thanks to its visa-free policies for 86 countries and Hainan Free Trade Port initiatives.
Since the launch of island-wide special customs operations six months ago, Hainan had recorded more than 1.38 million cross-border passenger trips by May 31, up 31.8 percent year on year, Wang Fengli, deputy director of the Office of the Free Trade Port Working Committee of the Communist Party of China Hainan Provincial Committee, said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
Overseas tourists embrace Chinese traditions in Hainan
