Tourists are flocking to the 15th Cherry Blossom Festival in Dalian, a coastal city in northeast China's Liaoning Province, to appreciate splendid flowers and enjoy dazzling art performances.
In a 110,000-square-meter garden with more than 30 species of cherry plants, a great variety of performances featuring cultural integration have been staged.
A beautiful Chinese classical dance performance under the blooming trees has become one of the attractions in the scenic spot in Lyushunkou District.
"This dance is adapted from the dance drama Confucius. It presents the story of seven young ladies strolling and picking flowers in a cherry garden," said Zhang Huilin, a dancer.
During the Labor Day holiday from April 29 to May 3, many visitors wearing traditional Chinese costumes were seen in the park to experience a sense of "time travel."
"My parents used to take me here when I was a child. And I visit the park with schoolmates almost every year. I'm wearing the traditional costume Hanfu today to have pictures taken and share them on social media. I believe my family and friends will praise the beauty of the dress and the cherry garden," said Han Huilin, a local visitor.
The event organizers said this year's festival highlights visitors' participation and interaction, in a bid to promote the booming cultural tourism in Lyushunkou District.
"This year's cherry blossom festival has brought together traditional culture, poetry, cultural performances, night-time cherry blossom appreciation and other diverse activities into a series of spring tours for outing and flowers enjoying. We have elaborately designed a unique cherry blossom-themed festival that integrates tourism, ecology, culture and leisure. We have also invited famous singers, Internet influencers and electronic music bands to stage a super shocking audio-visual feast for visitors," said Sun Fang, director of the marketing department of Dalian Lyushun Cultural Tourism Group.
Scheduled to run until mid-May, the cherry blossom festival is reported to have attracted around 20,000 visitors a day.
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