Throngs of tourists visit the Guyan Huaxiang Scenic Area in the Liandu district during the May Day holiday. [Photo/WeChat account: liandufb]

The tourism market in Liandu district of Lishui city – located in East China's Zhejiang province – flourished during the recent May Day holiday, with a host of cultural and tourism activities taking place there, local media reported.

The Guyan Huaxiang Scenic Area reportedly received 120,000 tourists during the break, up 9.12 percent compared with the same period in 2019. That saw its tourism revenue surge to 1.78 million yuan ($275,700), an increase of 19 percent compared with 2019.

The area launched a creative bazaar – featuring oil paintings, handicrafts, delicacies and other delights.

With the rapid development of Liandu's tourism, homestays – a rising business form – have become the first choice for many tourists.

The Hua Ju Jiang Xin homestay in Guyan Huaxiang Scenic Area, for example, was fully booked during the holiday, according to Yang Xiangjun, the owner of the facility.

"This kind of rural homestay makes me feel relaxed and comfortable," said a guest from Shanghai.

"The courtyard is full of flowers and plants. I went to the river yesterday and it was raining. It felt like I was standing in a landscape painting," he added.

Revolutionary sites such as the Dongxi Rock Scenic Area also proved to be tourist hit – as this year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, according to officials.