Zhangye Colorful Danxia welcomes spring tourism peak

Tourists visit the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, Gansu province, during the Qingming Festival holiday. [Photo provided to gozhangye.com.cn]

During Qingming Festival, the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, Gansu province, welcomed its first influx of spring tourists of 2026.

Known for its unique geological wonders and spring scenery, the scenic spot became a popular destination for both local and out-of-town travelers. In the first quarter, visits rose by 30.69 percent year-on-year.

The scenic spot received a total of 125,400 visits in the first quarter, an increase of 29,400 compared with the same period last year.

During the Qingming Festival holiday, ‌foot traffic continued to rise, marking the first major influx since Spring Festival and giving a strong boost to the cultural tourism industry in Linze county.

During the holiday, popular viewing platforms were crowded. A tourist from Shandong said she was amazed by the vast, natural landscape. Another visitor from Beijing said they planned to revisit to see the views in different lighting conditions. It would be even more beautiful after rain or at dusk, they added.

A renewal project launched in December 2025 showed strong results during the holiday. By upgrading infrastructure, separating pedestrian and vehicle flows, and improving the smart navigation system, the scenic spot achieved precise vehicle dispatch and visitor flow separation.

In recent years, the scenic area has deepened its integration of geology and tourism, launching night tours, science education and study tour programs, and low-altitude sightseeing.

These initiatives have shifted the experience from simple sightseeing to immersive tourism, effectively increasing visit lengths and return rates.