On February 21, tourists enjoy ice-snow activities at Bailihuang Ski Resort in Yiling District. (Xinhua/Zhang Guorong)

　　On February 20, the Three Gorges Dam tourism area experienced a surge in visitors, reaching its maximum capacity of 36,000 people in just four and a half hours after opening. During the Spring Festival, Yichang organized 203 cultural, tourism, and sports events, marking a strong start for its tourism market.

　　Yichang’s traditional cultural celebrations saw impressive attendance, with the spring festival lantern shows under the theme “Yichang Year in Intangible Cultural Heritage”attracting over 420,000 visitors. Tickets for the “Two Dams and One Gorge” boat tours sold out for five consecutive days, while the Three Gorges Family scenic area saw a 50 percent year-on-year increase in visitors.

　　Yichang also utilized its unique attractions to boost tourism. Collaborating with five major ski resorts and several hot springs, the city launched the “Fire and Ice Journey” tour, which drew many out-of-town visitors. The Qu Yuan Hometown International Ski Resort became particularly popular, leading to fully booked hotels in the surrounding area.

　　New technologies enhanced the experience for tourists, with the Global “DreamWorks Market”attracting over 10,000 visitors daily. At the Qu Yuan Memorial Hall, the “Chuci Fantasy” digital exhibition saw a 52 percent increase in visitors, reaching 96,000. Innovations like robots at the Qingjiang Gallery and holographic projections at Yuquan Mountain brought a modern twist to traditional cultural festivities. (Sanxia Daily: Reporter/Yang Jing, Correspondent/Tan Ling)