Cultural and leisure events are boosting tourism across China as scenic spots roll out innovative holiday experiences during the eight-day National Day holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival that began on Oct 1.

In Beijing, a food event at the Qianmen pedestrian street offers visitors a feast for the senses, pairing regional delicacies with ornamental art installations. Delicacies from all over the country, such as crispy sweet-and-sour pork, grilled skewers and beef balls, attracted tourists to queue up in front of the stalls.
"We have combined some cultural and public art features to make everyone have a better time in this pedestrian zone. There's food, entertainment and some cultural elements," said Yu Bo, the curator of the event.
Meanwhile, many places in northeast China's Liaoning Province have also planned distinctive theme activities to enrich the holiday experience for tourists.
In Dandong City, mountainous scenic spots have entered their peak viewing season. Forests of smoke trees, maples, and sycamores blanket the hillsides in golden and amber hues, creating an awe inspiring scenery.
"I want to get close to nature and relieve some stress. My body and mind are both very relaxed. I feel doubly happy because I'm with my good friends," said a tourist.
The homestay market has also received a major boost during the holiday. Locals have launched special tourism projects, including harvest picking and folk custom experiences, which have been a hit with tourists. The average occupancy rate of homestays during the holiday has now exceeded 80 percent.
"I really like this rural style, and the homestay is my first choice. I feel that both the air and the pace of life are quite comfortable. It's relaxing," said another tourist.
Additionally, the unique mountain scenery in Liaoning’s Anshan City has drawn nearly 30,000 tourists daily during the holiday, eager to hike and take in the autumn views.
To deepen the experience, Anshan has also hosted open-air film screenings featuring local scenic spots, helping visitors connect more closely with the region. The event site includes areas for special product displays and food stalls, adding flavor to the cultural atmosphere.