Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot breaks visitor record

The Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot, located in Zhangye, Gansu province, has achieved unprecedented visitor growth during this summer season. On Aug 7, cumulative visits surpassed 2 million, followed by a new single-day record of 52,000 visits set on Aug 8.

Tourists line up to visit the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot, in Zhangye, Gansu province, during the summer season. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com]

Li Jingyu, deputy general manager of the scenic spot, attributed the surge to targeted marketing strategies. These included precision advertising in core markets and it also launched the "Rainbow Zhangye, Colorful Danxia" branded high-speed trains that serve 16 cities across six provinces.

Additional initiatives included hosting a hot air balloon festival, conducting promotions in key cities and partnering with travel agencies to offer customized tour packages.

The scenic spot's unique landscape and enhanced services are widely said to have sustained visitor satisfaction. Operational upgrades have expanded its capacity for signature activities including low-altitude flights, camel rides and all-terrain vehicle tours. 

Visitors can now enjoy a virtual hot air balloon photo experience, AI-powered photography services, and new supporting facilities featuring popular brands such as Dicos and Luckin Coffee.

Yang Yumin, a driver in the scenic spot, detailed the new crowd management measures: Big data analytics optimize shuttle bus frequency, staff are deployed at key viewpoints and timed-entry ticketing now disperses the visitor flow. These efforts have maintained service quality during the peak periods.

Moving forward, the scenic spot will develop international markets and Gen-Z focused products while strengthening its regional cooperation.