A drone performance takes place in Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou. [Photo/the official news website of Taizhou]

Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province hosted over 100 themed festive events from Jan 1 to 3 to celebrate the new year.

The city recorded 1.47 million visits, a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year. Overnight stays reached 800,000, up 12.6 percent year-on-year. Popular activities included short getaways, one-day tours, self-driving tours, and family trips.

Key attractions across the city saw a surge in visits, with a wide variety of cultural events. The Ancient City of Taizhou in Linhai hosted activities such as intangible cultural heritage performances, drone light shows, and live music concerts, blending tradition with contemporary trends. On Zhexi Old Street in Tiantai, activities like dance contests and parades created a lively atmosphere.

Huangyan hosted music concerts at Wudong Bridge, while Wenling illuminated the sky with a drone performance. Yuhuan showcased Yueju Opera and a string ensemble, while Sanmen celebrated with a light-and-shadow show. Xianju featured markets, rock music, and traditional intangible cultural heritage activities, which significantly boosted holiday spending and energized the local economy.

Public cultural venues, such as theaters, museums, libraries, and cultural centers, also played a pivotal role, offering exhibitions, performances, and reading programs that allowed residents to enjoy and fully immerse themselves in the festive spirit.