East China's Jiangsu Province saw more than 7.02 million tourist visits and a tourism revenue of 5.362 billion yuan during the three-day New Year holiday, up 58.16% and 59.57% year on year respectively, according to the province's Department of Culture and Tourism on January 2.

In the first holiday after the country adjusted its epidemic prevention and control policy, people in the province chose to visit rural areas, museums and historical zones.

The ancient Hanshan Temple in Suzhou City is home to one of Chinas oldest and popular New Year celebrations. On the New Year's Eve, people gathered here again to listen to the ringing of the great bell, an event also live-streamed, and prayed for good luck in 2023.

(CFP Photo)

In Nanjing, the 37th China Qinhuai Lantern Festival opened on the night of December 31 with a giant rabbit design installed at the Dacheng Hall of the Confucian Temple as 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese lunar calendar. The Laomendong historical and cultural block highlighted more than 30 lanterns featuring various rabbit designs. The city's Tangshan Quarry Park hosted fireworks display, lights shows and bonfire parties.

Huishan Ancient Town and Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot, two popular tourist destinations in Wuxi City, received many tourists during the 3-day holiday too. The ancient town hosted the New Year celebration This is Wuxi for more than 7 hours, attracting 15,000 visitors on December 31.

Iconic landmarks attracted visitors at nighttime too, such as the Confucian Temple, Laomendong, Jiangsu Garden Expo Park, and Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge. The fireworks display also made night visits to rural destinations a popular choice.

Rural B&Bs and boutique hotels in the province reported a strong recovery. In Nantong, new accommodation choices such as campervans and tree houses were favored by holidaymakers. For example, the occupancy rate of tree houses in Nantong Forest Safari Park reached 80% on January 1, the highest in recent times.

Thanks to diverse cultural programs, Nanjing's museums and other cultural venues received about 65,800 visitors in the three days, 25.9% higher than the same period last year.

Jiangsu Center for the Performing Arts, Poly Grand Theatre, Lizhi Grand Theatre and Wuxi Grand Theatre all hosted concerts during the holiday.