As people's desire to venture beyond city limits has grown since China eased its COVID-19 control policy in early December last year, which included the lifting of interregional travel restrictions, the country's tourism market registered robust recovery over the New Year holiday from December 31 to January 2.

The nation's capital of Beijing, too, welcomed this "comeback," with cultural tourism activities bouncing back to pre-COVID-19 levels during the long weekend.

Approximately 2.7 million people visited the city's 151 key scenic spots from December 31 to January 2, accounting for 86.4 percent of the number registered in the same period of 2019, according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

The tourist attractions reported a total revenue of roughly 248 million yuan ($35.6 million), up 44.5 percent from 2019.

Many Beijingers opted to explore the city's hidden gems or take a short trip to surrounding areas like neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Qinhuangdao, a popular seaside resort in Hebei Province.

Ice and snow entertainment, too, took flight once again. More than 20 parks across Beijing, including the Summer Palace, Beihai Park and the Olympic Forest Park, have launched events for the winter wonderland season, the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau said on December 31. 

(Text and photos by Wei Yao)

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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