Tourists savor 'wine town' during National Day holiday

YINCHUAN — Nestled at the eastern foothill of the Helan Mountains in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Dulaan Holiday Wine Stroll was bustling with tourists during the just-concluded seven-day National Day holiday.

There is much to keep wine buffs busy, from meandering through vineyards or exploring the well-stocked cellars, to — of course — savoring a glass, or two, of the local wine. For the adventurous, cycling through the mountains offers encounters with blue sheep or red deer. Overnight guests can also stargaze under astronomers' guidance, adding a touch of education to their leisure.

"I was pleasantly surprised by this quaint 'wine town'! It's incredibly relaxing," exclaimed Lu Di, a resident of Yinchuan, the regional capital.

Here, she indulged in wine tasting and afternoon tea with her husband, bathed in the golden hour light of the Helan Mountains, enjoyed a bike ride with her son, and even found time to feed some alpacas.

The eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, with its dry climate and abundant sunshine, has been called a "golden zone" for grape cultivation and premium wine production. A collection of vineyards and wineries has created a "wine corridor" in the foothills, which are also home to several renowned scenic spots.

Leveraging these advantages, Dulaan Holiday Wine Stroll was established in December last year, with its affiliated hotel welcoming visitors starting this June. Combining grape cultivation, winemaking, culture, arts and sightseeing, it has attracted over 50,000 tourists in just four months.

Yang Ziyun, an employee at the affiliated hotel, said that they had curated a variety of activities to enhance the National Day holiday experience, including painting, bamboo weaving, wine therapy and mountainside night concerts.

Ningxia produced its first bottle of wine in 1984. Today it is one of China's major wine-producing regions and is gaining prominence on the global stage.

In recent years, culture-themed towns have flourished in China, offering a novel experience for tourists. Each is rooted in the unique local culture, offering a quick, yet profound, understanding of their own region.

Ten kilometers away, Seeing Helan Performance Town is also abuzz, especially at night. As its name suggests, it features performances that celebrate the culture of the Helan Mountains and Ningxia. The town is awash with the festive glow of red lanterns under the eaves of traditional buildings, creating a warm, welcoming ambience.

Street performers dressed as historical, mythical or legendary figures from Ningxia, roam the town or star in awe-inspiring shows, and are a highlight for many, particularly the younger generation.

During the just-concluded holiday, the town not only hosted plays, juggling and traditional dances but also invited tourists to sing songs, dance and enjoy barbecues. "Tourists from across the country can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, local Ningxia culture and the charm of night tours," said Pan Chunhui, marketing director of Seeing Helan Performance Town.

Pan added that the town received more than 80,000 visitors during the first six days of the holiday.

Daily bookings for inbound travel on Trip.com Group, a leading Chinese online travel agency, reached a record during the holiday, the company said on Monday.

A significant number of young people are developing a keen interest in tourism at the county level, leading to a 40 percent year-on-year increase in daily bookings for county tourism, said the report.

Xinhua