Springtime blossoms add cheer to tourism

As temperatures rise, spring flowers are getting close to peak bloom, attracting flocks of tourists to appreciate the springtime.

Data from Ctrip.com showed that from March 1 to 12, bookings for flower-viewing spots surged about three times compared with the same period in February. The majority of tourists are people born in the 1980s and 1990s, Ctrip said.

Wuhan University received more than 200,000 visits during its cherry blossom festival from March 15 to 27 this year.

It's not easy to book a reservation for entry as the university put limits on the visitor number, said a photographer surnamed Wang, who went with his wife.

"But we took some good photos. The spring scenery made me feel refreshed," Wang said.

Ctrip.com recently released a list of 20 domestic destinations that enjoy popularity on the platform because of their spring flowers.

In addition to Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, the list contained Anshun in Guizhou province, Zhangping in Fujian province, and Wuyuan in Jiangxi province, which is famous for stunning rapeseed flower fields.

These cities have launched a variety of flower-related activities to lure more tourists and offer them novel experiences.

Yuantouzhu scenic area in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, extended its opening hours from March 18 to 28, allowing people to admire blossoms in the evening.