Locals teach guests how to make zongzi in Ningbo. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

East China's Zhejiang province welcomed a surge of travelers during Dragon Boat Festival, according to statistics released by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism on June 3.

The province drew 16.52 million tourist trips over the three-day holiday, an 8.3 percent year-on-year increase.

This year's Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, was celebrated on May 31. The holiday ran from May 31 to June 2, which coincided with International Children's Day.

Family-oriented travel emerged as a key growth driver. Traditional Duanwu customs such as zongzi making, sachet crafting, and dragon boat racing remained central to the visitor experience.

According to the statistics, the holiday period — measured from 2 pm on May 30 to 2 pm on June 2 — saw total tourism revenue reach 16.1 billion yuan ($2.24 billion), up 10.1 percent year-on-year. The number of overnight stays hit 10.45 million, an 8.7 percent increase, while the average daily visit count across the province rose to 9.21 million, up 10.3 percent.

Destinations across the province rolled out diverse activities to meet the moment, offering everything from dragon boat races and ancient town walks to interactive programs tailored for children and parents.