Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s efforts to host large-scale cultural and sports events helped attract more than 400,000 visitors from around the world to experience a blend of tradition and modernity during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday.
Over the three-day break that began on Saturday, the city recorded over 412,800 visitors — an 11 percent jump from the same period last year.
Tourists from the Chinese mainland accounted for over 330,000, up nearly 10 percent year-on-year and almost 40 percent more than during the first three days of the Easter holiday in March.
During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the city hosted a slew of mega events that embodied Hong Kong’s unique cultural flair, including the world’s biggest water music festival, dragon boat races across multiple districts and drone performances with a festival theme.
They increased Hong Kong’s appeal to visitors, said Roy Lo Kaipong, chairman of the Hong Kong Travel Profession Union.
A 10-minute drone performance took to the skies above the harbor front in Wan Chai on Monday evening. Around 1,000 drones formed patterns such as flying dragons, dragon boats and zongzi — a traditional rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Mainland visitor Fang Jiarui arrived at the harbor front an hour early to secure a prime viewing spot.
“The display was great, as it blended centuries-old cultural elements with cutting-edge technology,” she said.
Fang, who spent the holiday exploring Hong Kong, said she was impressed by the city’s ability to marry traditional culture with modernity and innovation.
“From the food and accommodation to transport, Hong Kong has its own way of combining the old and the new,” she said.
Her itinerary was mainly based on social media recommendations. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
