Nanyang proves popular with visitors over New Year holiday

More than half a million visitors spent their three-day New Year holiday in Nanyang, according to the city's tourism bureau, generating 297 million yuan ($42.75 million) for the local economy.

Top of visitors' wish lists were Nanyang's many historic tourist attractions, such as the National Dinosaur Relic Park in Xixia, which welcome a quarter of a million people through its doors.

A temple rise above the foliage in one of Nanyang's many parks. [Photo/Nanyang Daily]

A further 160,000 visited Wuhou Memorial Temple in Wolonggang, 112,000 entered the Shan-shan Guildhall in Sheqi county, and 289,000 toured the Neixiang Local Magistrate's Office Museum.

The tourism bureau said that rural tourism was on the rise, with many visitors staying in farmhouse accommodation and trying their hands at stone milling, crab catching, and fishing.

Qushou village, the water source of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project also proved popular among tourists. Its neighboring scenic spots including Xiangyan Temple and Zuochan Valley all recorded increases in visitor numbers.

The National Dinosaur Relic Park in Xixia county. [Photo/Nanyang Daily]

The huge influx of people provided a boost to the local market, with the Zhenping International Jade Center welcoming 505,000 customers over the three-day break.

In order to ensure safe and pleasant trips for visitors, the Nanyang government took proactive measures on public safety and increased public services.

A picture postcard of Nanyang in the snow. [Photo/Nanyang Daily]