Internet celebrities promote Hangzhou during a live stream. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou has begun turning to live streams to promote its tourism industry, as live stream e-commerce has become popular amid the epidemic.

The Hangzhou culture, broadcast, television and tourism bureau recently held a live-stream broadcast inviting one of China's most famous internet celebrities - - Weiya - - to help promote Hangzhou's tourism attractions. The live broadcast, which was the first of its kind in China, proved to be a massive success.

The Hangzhou government also partnered with Fly Pig, a tourism platform affiliated with Alibaba Group, to promote the city through live streams.

Hangzhou is also promoting tourism by releasing coupons and implementing favorable policies.

During the May Day holiday, more than 45 percent of hotel rooms in Hangzhou were booked, 8 percent higher than during the Tomb Sweeping holiday.

The number of people booking homestays in Tonglu, a county in Hangzhou, also increased by 6.6 percent over the same period.

Hangzhou also launched an activity inviting residents to share their experiences in the city through videos or photos. The Hangzhou government hopes that in this way, everyone can play a part in promoting the city.

A bird's eye view of Tonglu county in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]