During the just-concluded May Day holiday, two of China's biggest cities, Beijing and Shanghai, emerged as popular destinations by offering diverse cultural experiences, collectively welcoming a significant number of tourists.

According to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the capital city welcomed an impressive 16.96 million visitors during the five-day holiday period which ended on Sunday. Among them, 6.75 million were tourists from other provinces, highlighting Beijing's appeal as a national tourist hub.

Rural tourism in Beijing saw a remarkable surge, with a total of 2.86 million visitors recorded, representing a 22.9 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, Shanghai, known for its cosmopolitan allure, also experienced a bustling holiday season. Shanghai tourism big data monitoring system revealed that the city welcomed 16.24 million visitors, demonstrating a steady growth rate of 3.77 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year.

To enhance the holiday experience, Shanghai presented an array of nearly 180 cultural and tourism activities across eight major categories, including captivating exhibitions at various cultural venues, art galleries and theater performances.

Notably, the Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour and other sport events added an extra touch of excitement to the holiday festivities. Cruise tourism also remained popular, with over 32,000 individuals entering and exiting Shanghai's cruise terminals.

In one of Shanghai's vibrant districts, Xuhui District, an enchanting retro-themed market attracted numerous visitors. Over 100 branded shops were nestled within traditional Shikumen buildings (a style featuring Western and Chinese elements), presenting a nostalgic ambiance where visitors could explore unique items such as vinyl records and vintage cameras.

"For me, I like accessories and vintage cameras," said a tourist surnamed Feng.

In addition, traditional art forms, including Kunqu Opera, found their place in the trendy market, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture while enjoying a shopping experience.

"I take my kids to experience traditional culture here. While strolling through the streets, they can come into contact with traditional art," said another tourist surnamed Zhu.

The fusion of traditional culture and contemporary designs at various art markets garnered significant attention from young consumers, who can not only have the opportunity to appreciate diverse themed illustration exhibitions but also actively engaged in creating their own artworks during their visits.

"I especially love showcasing my uniqueness through this kind of thing, and I enjoy expressing it with the Chinese culture," said a visitor.