Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Zhuhai's high-profile appearance in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala resulted in an instant boom in its tourism sector. A record-breaking 1.93 million tourists were attracted to the Guangdong city from Feb 15 to 21, up 18.9 percent year-on-year.

The week-long Spring Festival holiday saw a growth of nearly 30 percent in tourism revenue to 1.2 billion yuan ($189 million), according to the Zhuhai Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau.

Zhuhai, the window of Reform & Opening-up in southern China, for the first time was one of four sub-venues of the Gala, the country's most popular TV program since 1983.

Footage was shot at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. Formation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), driverless cars and unmanned surface vessels (USV) exemplified Guangdong's scientific and technological power while magnificent aerobatic shows and fireworks no doubt stirred visitors' desire to visit Zhuhai.

A profusion of flowers at Huatian Water Village in Doumen District [Photo by Chen Pianpian]

A Spring Festival ambiance pervaded the city. On offer were flower markets, folk customs, spring resorts, island and rural experiences, art performances, gourmet food, blessing ceremonies, and, last but certainly not least, locations for shopping sprees.

Fine weather added to Zhuhai's coastal charm, and the leisure travel market seized the opportunity by focusing on family trips. For example, the Gree Dong’ao Hotel on Dong'ao Island launched a set package of accommodation, boating, food, and themed activities suitable for families.

Some Zhuhai's 4A-grade scenic spots perfectly blended culture and tourism. The Ocean Spring Resort staged exciting lion dances and molten steel spraying shows during its bath culture week featuring the Tang Dynasty (618-907), with tens of thousands of visitors participating daily.

Many visitors wanting to surround themselves with flowers chose to take a stroll in such places as Haibin Park where there were 3,208 sq m of uniquely shaped tulips, violets and other species. New Yuanming Palace in Xiangzhou District exhibited more than 30 varieties of peony flowers while Huatian Water Village in Jinwan District highlighted local culture with a performance called A Million Lotuses Greet the Lunar New Year.