Tourists tour the Hundred Regiments Battle memorial area in Yangquan city during the May Day holiday. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

The tourism market in Yangquan city, North China's Shanxi province, experienced something of a retail boom during the recent May Day holiday, with its cultural and tourism spending reportedly recovering. 

All tourist attractions in the city increased sales, even amid coordinated novel coronavirus epidemic measures, with tourists reporting that they felt comfortable and happy in their travels. 

As of May 5, the 15 key scenic spots in Yangquan had received 226,500 visits, representing a year-on-year increase of 297.36 percent. 

Visitors try out water rides during the May Day holiday. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, new culture and tourism products were developed, with traditional sightseeing changing course to dining, food and cultural experiences, as well as outdoor forms of entertainment. 

Local scenic areas launched landscape sightseeing walks, product fairs, art performances, fitness walks, farming experience events, as well as special food tastings for visitors. 

Most tourists travelled by car around Yangquan and rural tourist routes were especially popular with tourists during the five-day holiday. 

A concert is staged in the Cangshan Mountain scenic area in Yangquan city during the May Day holiday. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

Meanwhile, various literary and artistic activities stirred up interest among the locals. 

Yuju Opera, song and dance troupes presented 15 shows to some 10,000 visitors in the Cangshan Mountain and Xiaohe scenic areas, as well as in the Shibuzui Agricultural Sightseeing Park and Zhuizishang village. Yangquan Museum alone reportedly received 1,385 visits during the holiday.