Golden October brings crisp autumn air, fragrant osmanthus blossoms, and the 65th anniversary of our great nation. The vibrant festive activities and favorable weather further heightened the celebratory atmosphere this National Day. Prior to the holiday, a Baoji Tourism Experience Tour, jointly organized by the Baoji Municipal Committee Propaganda Department and the Baoji Cultural Relics and Tourism Bureau, also significantly boosted the city’s visibility and reputation. The slogan “Visit the Cleanest City, Taste the Most Authentic Chinese Cuisine” went viral almost overnight. Visitors from other regions and nearby areas flocked to Baoji to savor its finest cuisine, admire its breathtaking natural scenery, and immerse themselves in its profound cultural heritage. With surging public enthusiasm for travel, Baoji’s tourism industry reaped remarkable rewards, with related sectors including food, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment all generating substantial revenue. According to statistics, the city received a total of 2.4603 million domestic and international tourists, achieving a total tourism income of 1.223 billion yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 18.5% and 20.3%, respectively.
Baoji Boasts Picturesque Scenery
I. Strong Leadership Focuses on Creating a Favorable Tourism Environment
In mid-September, the municipal government issued the “Notice on Conducting Law Enforcement Inspections During the 2014 National Day Golden Week,” establishing a comprehensive inspection plan for the tourism market and related safety measures, and arranging holiday tourism operations well in advance. Gexian Qi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, led inspections in high-tech zones, Qianyang County, Long County, and others to assess Golden Week preparations, tourism safety, and market order. Counties (districts) and municipal departments carried out specialized inspections and joint law enforcement to ensure tourism safety and comprehensive market regulation, promptly eliminating potential hazards and fostering a sound tourism environment. On September 27–28, a joint provincial and municipal inspection team conducted another spot check on holiday preparedness. Throughout the holiday, city and county-level holiday tourism command centers maintained 24-hour duty systems, with market inspections, information forecasts, statistical reporting, market monitoring, emergency rescue, and command coordination all functioning smoothly. The overall tourism market operated safely and stably, with orderly leisure activities, continuously improving service quality, and heightened visitor satisfaction. No major tourism complaints or safety incidents occurred, truly achieving the “four unities” of safety, order, quality, and efficiency.
II. Key Attractions See Record-Breaking Crowds
During the holiday, major tourist destinations such as Famen Temple, China Ritual Music City, and the Bronze Ware Museum were bustling with traffic and visitors. All counties and districts saw significant increases in tourist numbers and comprehensive tourism revenue, driving a booming holiday economy. The Bronze Ware Museum attracted numerous out-of-town visitors, receiving 120,000 guests during the break. To manage the overwhelming turnout, management implemented crowd diversion and extended opening hours, ensuring safe and orderly visits. The city’s 32 tourist attractions collectively welcomed 862,000 visitors, generating 51.1712 million yuan in ticket sales, marking year-on-year growth of 19.6% and 21.3%, respectively. Among key monitored sites by the Provincial Tourism Bureau, the 4A-rated Famen Temple received 146,900 visitors with 15.69 million yuan in ticket revenue; the 4A-rated Taibai Mountain National Forest Park hosted 69,900 visitors, earning 8.334 million yuan; the 4A-rated Zhougong Temple saw 62,100 guests, generating 3.103 million yuan; and the 3A-rated Fishing Terrace attracted 13,850 visitors, with 545,600 yuan in ticket income.
III. Cultural Tourism Deeply Integrated, Festive Events Thrive
Throughout the Golden Week, counties and scenic spots launched a variety of rich and colorful cultural and entertainment activities, enriching local holiday life and offering visitors a splendid festival experience that showcased Baoji’s unique charm. The Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area hosted a series of events under the theme “Universal Celebrations for National Day – Golden Autumn Tours at Famen,” including the “Meditative Calligraphy Blessing Exhibition” and “Time-Traveling Treasure Hunt at the Ancient Temple,” allowing tourists to deeply engage with the profound Buddhist culture of Famen Temple. The Zhougong Temple Scenic Area Management Committee in Qishan County organized a “Impressions of Zhougong Temple” photography exhibition, an archaeological exhibition of Phoenix Mountain ruins, and an autumn chrysanthemum display, attracting continuous streams of enthusiastic visitors. Over the holiday, Qishan County received 229,600 tourists, achieving 172 million yuan in comprehensive income, with year-on-year growth of 13.7% and 14.1%, respectively. The Huangbaiyuan Scenic Area featured cloud-gazing at Dalinzi, chestnut and kiwi picking experiences, and more. Tai Bai County hosted 72,100 visitors, earning 51.2 million yuan, reflecting increases of 16.17% and 35.22%, respectively.
IV. Self-Drive and Independent Travel Surge, Diversifying Outbound Methods
Thanks to favorable weather, toll-free highways for small vehicles, and discounted or waived admission fees at many attractions, self-drive tourism saw a significant surge. Across the city, most self-drive tourists hailed from neighboring regions like Sichuan, Gansu, and Xi’an. Popular destinations remained Famen Temple, Honghe Valley, Jialing River Headwaters, Dasanguan Pass, Tongtian River, Guanshan, Feng County, and Taibai, with over 80% of visitors being independent travelers or self-drivers—making self-drive tourism a dominant force in the holiday market. Feng County organized over 10 events, including an Autumn Leaves Festival, “Explore Industrial Wonders & Ancient Qiang Relics” self-drive tours, and a massive 100-li Jialing River fishing competition, drawing numerous domestic and regional visitors. Self-drive tourists helped push star-rated hotel occupancy rates to 90%. Restaurants and eateries enjoyed brisk business, with dining revenues rising sharply.
V. Rural Folk Tourism Showcases Unique Charms, Visitor Enthusiasm Remains High
In recent years, Baoji’s rural folk tourism—complementing traditional offerings—has gained strong market popularity, developing encouragingly. During the holiday, many visitors opted to explore countryside landscapes, experience farmhouse charm, and enjoy ecological leisure. Qishan County’s signature dish, Qishan Sausage Noodles, is a renowned local specialty. During National Day, folk village agritainment spots were packed, receiving 142,000 visitors and generating 106 million yuan in comprehensive income, up 13.9% and 14.3% year-on-year. Fengxiang County’s Liuying Village hosted a clay sculpture-making competition, letting visitors experience traditional artistry. Datianzi and Zhoujiamen folk villages also became hotspots, with Fengxiang County receiving 168,900 tourists and 87.03 million yuan in income, reflecting growth of 10% and 9%, respectively.
VI. Aggressive Promotions Boost Tourism Market
Ahead of the holiday, the city launched a large-scale campaign themed “National Day Getaway to Baoji – Visit the Cleanest City, Taste the Most Authentic Chinese Cuisine.” Promotional features appeared in provincial media outlets like Shaanxi Daily, Huashang Daily, and Sanqin Metropolis Daily. Key image ads aired during prime time on Shaanxi TV, Xi’an TV, and stations across Hanzhong, Xianyang, Weinan, Yan’an, Tianshui, Longnan, Pingliang, Qingyang, Yuncheng, Sanmenxia, and Guangyuan—12 cities across five provinces—delivering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional promotional push. Over 5,000 copies of the “Baoji Tourism Discount Guide” were distributed to Xi’an residents. More than 20 attractions offered free or discounted entry, as well as reimbursements for transportation costs, to attract visitors. These sustained efforts enhanced Baoji’s tourism profile and effectively warmed up the Golden Week market.
VII. Tourism Quality Improves, Complaints Decline
With the growth of the city’s tourism sector, both administrative authorities and tourism service providers have placed high importance on visitors, delivering warm, high-quality service with notable highlights. Before the holiday, Long County stationed personnel from public security, food safety, and pricing departments at Guanshan Grassland to promptly address visitor concerns. Due to effective management, no complaints were received during the break. The Baoji Bronze Ware Museum deployed over 50 volunteers to provide free guided tours and amenities like strollers and wheelchairs, creating a comfortable, serene, and well-serviced environment where visitors could comfortably appreciate history and culture.