People enjoy water sports on Qiandao Lake. [Photo/WeChat account: hzfbwx]

Hangzhou welcomed nearly 3.5 million out-of-town visitors during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, an 8.6-percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Hangzhou municipal bureau of culture, radio, TV, and tourism on June 10.

The festival saw a flurry of traditional activities, including the Xixi International Dragon Boat Race, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal Dragon Boat Championship, and many others focusing on folk customs, agricultural experiences, camping, picnics, and rafting.

Social media data revealed that the Xixi National Wetland Park, the venue for the dragon boat races, saw a 10.8-fold increase in online engagement, making it one of Hangzhou's hottest attractions.

This year's festival coincided with China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, featuring numerous intangible cultural heritage performances across the city. Highlights included live performances at Deshou Palace Site Museum, the second Bamboo Paper Cultural Festival in Fuyang district, and various events at the Archaeological Site Park of the Tomb of the King of Wuyue in Lin'an district.

In addition to traditional scenic spots, Hangzhou hosted popular ancient-style poetry gatherings, heritage workshops, opera performances, and art exhibitions. Notable cultural hotspots included the Zhejiang Museum (Zhijiang Branch), Hangzhou Museum, and Liangzhu Museum.

Family trips contribute a lot to the tourism economy in Hangzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: hzfbwx]