Datong emerges as Spring Festival hotspot as tourists seek traditional experiences

Datong in North China's Shanxi province recorded a 735 percent year-on-year surge in inbound tourism interest during this year's Spring Festival holiday, ranking first nationwide and placing it among China's fastest-growing destinations, Shanxi Daily reported.

Data from domestic travel platform Qunar showed that, as of Feb 17, the city had become one of the preferred destinations for overseas visitors celebrating the Chinese New Year, as international travelers increasingly sought traditional holiday experiences beyond major metropolitan areas.

The surge comes amid a broader trend of foreign tourists choosing to spend the festival in China. Bookings for domestic flights made with non-Chinese passports rose by about 20 percent year-on-year, with visitors from South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, the United States, and Russia among the main source markets, the report said.

During the holiday period, Datong hosted around 160 themed events — including lantern displays, folk parades, intangible cultural heritage performances, and immersive cultural activities — offering visitors a chance to experience traditional celebrations in the ancient city.

Visitors said the festivities offered a vivid glimpse into the city's history.

"It was breathtaking," Sha Anna, a tourist from Beijing visiting with her family during the Datong lantern festival, said, according to Datong Daily. "Standing on the city wall and looking at the sea of lights felt like traveling back to the Northern Wei period (386–534)."

She said the family wanted to experience a more traditional festive atmosphere away from the capital, where the celebrations could help them put down their phones and spend time together. The trip also deepened her understanding of the region's historical heritage, she said.

Local residents also noted a renewed festive mood this year. Yu Zhandong, a local photographer, said the holiday combined the old flavor with a new spectacle, with historic architecture illuminated by fireworks and lantern displays.

"This year's celebrations felt warmer and more immersive," Yu said. "The blend of tradition and modern elements is striking, and the festive atmosphere is something I wanted to capture through my lens."