During the May Day holiday, Hengyang’s cultural and tourism sector continued to thrive. Over the five-day period, the city received a total of 2.8659 million tourist visits, generating a tourism revenue of 1.3133514 billion yuan. Among them, The Nanyue scenic area witnessed its peak daily visitor capacity, while bookings for homestays and hotels surged by 45%. Even barbecue stalls were overwhelmed, with some still turning over tables at 3 a.m. With a powerful “cultural tourism combo,” this low-profile city successfully reshaped the perception of travelers from across the country.

Time City·1944 Scenic Area Packed with Visitors (Photo by Correspondent Cao Zhengping)

Soaring Data! Nanyue’s Single-Day Reception Rivals a Small-Scale Concert

The tourism data from Hengyang’s May Day holiday is striking: 27 monitored scenic spots received a total of 2.8659 million visitors over five days, averaging 570,000 visitors per day—surpassing the permanent population of Nanyue District. Total tourism revenue reached 1.313 billion yuan, with nearly 82% contributed by the Nanyue Scenic Area. The income from ticket sales and voucher redemptions alone garnered widespread attention. Accommodation demand soared, with 21 hotels receiving 15,900 overnight guests. Lippo International Hotel reported over 100,000 yuan in single-day revenue. Nanyue homestays were fully booked two weeks in advance. Cultural venues also became top attractions, with museums and libraries receiving 289,500 visitors. At intangible cultural heritage experience zones, queues lasted over two hours, and educational family trips turned into cultural study tours.

Innovative Experiences! From Wuxia Role-Playing to Grassland Music Festivals—Hengyang Delivers "Unexpected Charm"

Tourists in Hanfu at Nanyue (Photo by Correspondent Cao Zhengping)

Why are tourists flying in just to visit Hengyang?

At Nanyue Grand Temple, a live-action Wuxia role-playing game transported visitors back a millennium, allowing them to unlock a 12-hour storyline as martial heroes, with NPCs providing full immersion. Every snapshot resembled a "martial arts blockbuster." The peony flower sea in Nanyue also became a hotspot for traditional Hanfu rentals—over 300 sets rented daily—as visitors posed for photos among historic architecture.

At Dapu Aviation Base, high-altitude skydiving provided a true adrenaline rush, with participants saying it was “ten times more exciting than a roller coaster.” In Shigu District, the grassland music and food festival recreated the Inner Mongolian experience in Hunan, with a hundred-person whole-lamb feast and starry-sky parties, offering visitors a day-to-night lineup of flowers and music, leaving tourists exclaiming, "There’s not enough time!"

During the holiday, Yanfeng District’s “Lie-Flat and Win” campaign trended online. A “zoning out” contest awarded a recliner to the most relaxed contestant, while the flash dance zone turned into a spontaneous dance party.

Tickets for the performance of Les Choristes at Poly Grand Theatre sold out in advance, as parents brought their children to enjoy heavenly music. Meanwhile, AR-enhanced exhibitions at museums gave voice to cultural relics, letting children learn history through games such as touhu (pitch-pot), prompting the remark: “It’s more fun than playing on the phone.”

Unmatched Hospitality: Free Parking and 15-Minute Rapid Response Make Hengyang a Service Benchmark

Dense Crowds on Shifu Road (Photo by Wang Haoyong)

Struggling to park? Not here! Over 2,000 free parking spaces were opened at government institutions, while traffic police adopted lenient enforcement for vehicles with seven seats or fewer, and electronic crowd-monitoring systems provided real-time visitor flow alerts at scenic spots.

Nanyue distributed 10,000-yuan consumption vouchers, while six attractions in Hengnan waived entry fees, and Meihua Amusement Park in Hengyang County offered tickets for just 9.9 yuan—ensuring that students and family groups can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

In response to tourism-related inquiries and complaints, the 12301 hotline maintained a 15-minute response time and a two-hour resolution time. Only four complaints were received during the entire holiday period, all of which were minor. Tourists expressed their satisfaction, saying, “It’s even more efficient than dealing with issues in my own neighborhood.”

Netizens Praise: “Hengyang Knows How to Win Us Over—We’re Coming Back!”

“Nanyue was amazing! From morning to night, from the mountain to the town, every moment was a new experience!”

“Took my child to the museum—he said it was more fun than a cram school. Money well spent!”

“Our homestay host helped us rent a car at midnight—people in Hengyang are just so kind. We’re definitely coming again!”

This May Day, Hengyang demonstrated its strength with soaring data, attracted fans nationwide with creative tourism offerings, and earned a stellar reputation through guest-first sincerity. As this “hidden gem” city continues to build on the outcomes of the Tourism Development Conference, its efforts to attract visitors are gaining momentum. We look forward to Hengyang’s cultural and tourism sector maintaining its strong growth trajectory.