Chinese celebrate Spring Festival in new ways as millions stay put

Traveling local

Ye Lusha, a Beijing resident, canceled her travel plan to the tropical city of Sanya in south China's Hainan Province this year. Yet family trips are not completely off the table.

Ye's new plan is to take her parents to the Great Wall and enjoy a hot spring bath afterward.

"My parents are really anticipating the trip although it's local. Against the backdrop of the epidemic, we have come to appreciate the simple things around us more than ever," Ye said.

Many Chinese travel agencies have rolled out services focusing on "local trips" to meet the travel demands such as Ye's.

Dai Yu, a marketing director of online travel agency Trip.com Group, said the company provides private tours that cater to those who want to travel locally in a family unit.

"Through private tour using an independent vehicle as well as family dinner service on New Year's Eve, cross-infection can be avoided while ensuring quality time for the family," Dai said.

When it comes to short trips, an increased preference for suburban resort hotels has been seen among customers, with most rooms in popular scenic spots booked up.

A number of hotels in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, have promoted "hotel vacations" for local residents. Some also organized reading events and exhibitions in the hotel for families to enjoy together.

Due to the limitation on the flow of people, Beijing held online temple fairs to showcase traditional crafts and cooking skills.

Starting Feb 8, tourists can also book free tours to Beijing's parks. Tickets to the Summer Palace, a famous tourist site, have been fully booked up for the first five days of the Chinese New Year.