Zigong welcomes 1.87 million visitors during Spring Festival holiday

During the nine-day Spring Festival holiday, Zigong in southwest China's Sichuan province welcomed 1.87 million visitors across its 18 A-level tourist attractions. During the holiday the city offered cultural tourism and commercial activities centered on its Jurassic heritage, salt culture, traditional folk customs and iconic lanterns.

Lantern festival draws crowds with dazzling night economy

The 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival once again became the city's biggest attraction. The festival showcased 31 themed lighting installations, 11 super-large lantern sets and more than 200 medium and small lantern groups. Online pre-sale tickets for Feb. 17–22 sold out in advance, and during the holiday the festival's ticket revenue ranked first in Sichuan province.

For the first time, Shenhai Well was illuminated at night, offering visitors an experience of Zigong's centuries-old salt culture in a newly created night-tour setting.

At the Zigong Fantawild Dinosaur Kingdom, the special event featured colorful parades, traditional fire performances, drone shows and firework displays. Hundreds of drones formed a brilliant flying horse pattern in the night sky, attracting large numbers of young visitors.

A music fountain light show at Longhu Park in Yantan district also became a popular gathering spot for residents.

Meanwhile, the Night Tour of Fuxi River Spring Carnival integrated intangible cultural heritage performances into a water-based night cruise route. This allowed tourists to enjoy live shows whilst riding on the river boats.

Museums and cultural venues see holiday boom

Cultural and museum tourism also surged during the holiday. The Zigong Salt Industry History Museum hosted the exhibition "Echoes of Salt Through the Ages — The Story of Salt and the City," alongside dragon and lion dances, Sichuan opera, folk art performances and hands-on intangible cultural heritage workshops.

At the China Lantern Museum, visitors explored exhibitions such as "A Century of Fine Arts in Zigong" and participated in interactive programs including lantern-themed cultural experiences. The city's library and cultural center also organized Spring Festival book fairs, online reading campaigns and art exhibitions. Residents were able to engage with an alternative, quieter, but still festive way to celebrate the holiday.

Intangible heritage keeps traditional flavor alive

Across Zigong's districts and counties, traditional celebrations further enriched the festive atmosphere. In Gongjing district, a specific event brought dragon and lion dance troupes into towns and neighborhoods. Sichuan opera excerpts staged at Nanhua Palace attracted fans, while spring markets and blessing ceremonies were held in various scenic spots.

Visitors to Xianshi Ancient Town enjoyed traditional folk performances such as dry boat dances and dragon lantern shows, while in Fushun county, tourists experienced the full process of making traditional tofu pudding, a local intangible cultural heritage craft.

Through coordinated efforts across scenic spots, cultural venues and commercial complexes, Zigong presented an immersive and vibrant Spring Festival experience, blending lantern artistry, historical heritage and modern creativity to showcase the enduring charm of the City of Lanterns.