Suzhou received a total of 10.2091 million tourists during the May Day holiday that ended Sunday, increasing by 11.05% year-on-year (similarly hereinafter). And local visitors accounted for 30.29% of the total, while tourists from other places accounted for 69.71%. The city was listed as the 6th most popular travel destination in China and the 6th most attractive city for short-distance tours. And it ranked among the top 10 cities for hotel booking volume.
During the 5-day holiday, Suzhou City organized a variety of themed activities such as light shows, night markets, temple fairs, gourmet festivals and garden parties to boost tourism consumption and its tourist attractions like Pingjiang Road and Shantang Street saw a significant increase in the number of visitors. During the Double 5 Shopping Festival which went through the May Day holiday, the city held over 1,400 consumption promotion activities and distributed trade-in subsidies of 120 million yuan. Suzhou was a haven for consumers with numerous choices related to shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural events. In addition, there were a slew of sports events including the 2nd Yangtze River Delta Sailing League (Suzhou Station), the 2024 Suzhou Taihu Lake Digital Half Marathon, and a 10,000-people citywalk activity around the Jinji Lake.
Suzhou has been well-known for its success in preserving and utilizing its ancient charm and in promoting the preservation and flourishing of China’s vibrant traditional culture. During the May Day holiday, its classic gardens saw a massive influx of visitors. The Hanshan Temple, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, the Tiger Hill, the Lingering Garden, and the Lion Grove Garden were the top 5 popular scenic spots in Suzhou. In addition, local cultural venues and museums such as the Suzhou Museum, the Suzhou Stone Inscription Museum, and the Suzhou Silk Museum hosted nearly 40 exhibitions and over 20 public education activities. The 9th China Kunju Opera Art Festival, which kicked off on Apr. 28, staged 16 outstanding Kunju operas and renowned excerpts and the 6th Jiangnan Culture and Arts & International Tourism Festival, which was launched on Apr. 25, featured more than 30 artistic and cultural activities online and offline.