Visitors ride camels at the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang, Jiuquan. [Photo/Jiuquan Daily]

During the May Day holiday, Jiuquan in Gansu province was filled with a festive atmosphere and saw a surge in tourism activity. From May 1 to 5, the city experienced significant growth in its cultural and tourism market, with both visitor numbers and tourism spending increasing by over 12 percent year-on-year, setting new records.

Key attractions like the Mogao Caves and Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring scenic spot were top choices for visitors, driving the city's tourism growth. Other Silk Road cultural sites such as Yadan, Yumenguan, Yangguan, and Dunhuang also attracted a steady stream of tourists, highlighting the region's diverse appeal of the region.

The city hosted over 160 cultural, sports, and tourism activities, including electronic music festivals, starry night performances, desert treks, and culinary competitions.

Cultural venues offered a range of public-friendly activities: the Jiuquan Cultural Center hosted concerts and performances, the municipal art museum presented a children's art exhibition both online and offline, and the municipal stadium hosted chess tournaments, enriching the holiday experience.

Each county and district also showcased unique offerings: Suzhou district's electronic music festival was a major attraction; Jinta county featured desert-themed educational challenges; Yumen offered water-based activities; Guazhou county hosted outdoor desert sports, and Subei and Aksay focused on folk performances and intangible cultural heritage experiences. Together, these efforts highlighted Jiuquan's successful integration of culture, sports, and tourism.