With the global COVID-19 crisis, many people are choosing to make short distance domestic trips over the National Day holidays. And among the top destinations is Wuzhen water town in east China's Zhejiang Province.
As this year's National Day holiday coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the popular town has launched a series of seasonal activities including a lantern riddle event, DIY lantern making classes, and hosting nostalgic snack stalls.
From morning till night there are plenty of things to cater for all interests.
Yao Jie, CEO Assistant of Wuzhen Tourism Co,. Ltd., told CGTN, "Among the highlights is the Wuzhen Magic Night. It is a mix of the modern and the traditional, combining light installations with the ancient water town. Also we've brought back the Zaocha 早茶 or Morning Tea, a must-do tradition for many locals, so visitors get an authentic taste of local delicacies."
Traditional rituals are held in Wuzhen to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival. /courtesy of Wuzhen Tourism Co,. Ltd.
Usually at this time of the year, tourists and theater lovers would be flocking into the little town for its annual theater festival.
The event has been postponed to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But some still linger for Wuzhen's unique charm.
One visitor said that she came here at least twice a year and the view in October is quite different from March and April.
Another visitor revealed that for her Wuzhen is more than just a tourist site, it is a cultural symbol and her favorite place is this lantern shop where she could really feel the festive vibe.
As Wuzhen goes into the first national week holiday amid COVID-19 pandemic, staff are taking every precaution so that visitors can have a safe and pleasant stay here.
Traditional rituals are held in Wuzhen to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival. /courtesy of Wuzhen Tourism Co,. Ltd.
"Wuzhen stands out from other tourist sites because of its high standard of management in accommodation and restoration," Yao Jie, CEO Assistant of Wuzhen Tourism Co. Ltd., told CGTN, adding "For the National Day holiday season we're implementing a series of strict anti-epidemic measures, like regular disinfection, no contact check-ins and check-outs."
The newly renovated Tourist Service Center as well as some older stores will also make their debut.
These upgraded faculties will not only provide a more spacious and comfortable space at the reception, but also provide tourists with more services and interactive features. Wuzhen, which reopened in April, is expecting a major increase in visitor numbers over the National Day holiday week.