Due to the rise of COVID-19 infections, local travel was preferred during the recently finished three-day Qingming Festival holiday in Qingdao, Shandong province, and most people chose short trips.

People visit the downtown area of Qingdao during Qingming Festival holiday. [Photo/Guanhai News]

This year, Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-sweeping Day, fell on April 5. It is a traditional Chinese holiday in which people show respect to their ancestors and pay honor to the deceased.

With spring in full bloom and temperatures rising, visits to flower gardens, camping in parks and outdoor sports have become popular. According to the Qingdao municipal bureau of culture and tourism, the monitored 38 A-level scenic spots in the city received 528,100 tourists during the holiday, earning 5.35 million yuan ($841,695) in revenue.

Xiaomai Island Park, Tangdao Bay Park and other parks in Qingdao were popular tourism destinations during the holiday. Tangdao Bay scenic area received 75,500 tourists in three days, up 21.74 percent year-on-year.

Visitors admire the spring flowers at a scenic spot in Qingdao during Qingming Festival holiday. [Photo/Guanhai News]

"Flower tours" blossom in Zhongshan Park, Laoshan Mountain Scenic Area and other scenic spots in the spring, with a dazzling array of cultural and other themed activities that have been launched for tourists.

Tea gardens, flower gardens and terraced fields in rural areas also attract a large number of visitors to enjoy the idyllic scenery in the spring.

Qingdao Fantawild Dreamland reopened to the public on April 4. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Visitors get their tickets checked at the Laoshan Mountain Scenic Area during Qingming Festival holiday. [Photo/Guanhai News]