Published on: 2026-09-12
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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Haikou, September 12 /Xinhua/ — Upon entering the Changying Wonderland theme park in Haikou city, the administrative center of Hainan province in southern China, visitors saw that every venue within it, where various events were held, was densely surrounded by people. There were festively decorated mobile platforms on which performers sang and danced, as well as performances related to intangible cultural heritage… And at dusk, a swarm of drones rose into the sky, followed by a colorful fireworks display that amazed the imagination.
According to statistical data, during the Hainan International Carnival of Joy and Fun “Tourism Island” 2026, the Changying Wonderland theme park – the main venue of the festival – welcomed a total of 215,400 visitors. The tourist flow increased more than 13 times year-on-year. The maximum average daily number of visitors exceeded 37,000, reaching a new peak for this indicator in the summer season compared to previous years.
A guest surnamed Li from Hunan Province /Central China/ visited the festival for the first time with her family. “The atmosphere here is very lively, delicious dishes are served, there are various attractions, the festival is great for family outings and truly brings joy,” she said.
This year’s festival, with the main theme “Energetic Free Trade Port, Charming Hainan Island,” opened on July 18 in the city of Haikou; its main organizer was the People’s Government of Hainan Province. Over its 27 years of existence, this event has become an important window for showcasing the cultural confidence of Hainan Province, promoting the deep integration of culture and tourism, as well as enhancing the influence of this international tourism consumption center. In December of this year, it will be exactly one year since the launch of the independent customs operation regime throughout the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). The festival vividly embodies the dynamism and attractiveness of the FTP, transforming the tourist “flow” into an increase in consumption and development “energy.”
The current festival was focused on the summer peak of the tourist season. The event opened in the city of Haikou and concluded in the city of Danzhou; more than 50 cultural and tourism activities were organized across various cities and counties of the province during the festival. For more than a month, joy continuously accompanied the daily lives of the island’s residents and guests.
The festival featured various events, including sports competitions, introductions to intangible cultural heritage, and rural tourism. Tourists were able to visit key shopping areas, try delicious dishes, and shop in stores. Combined passes were also issued for visiting hot springs and participating in educational tours, and venues were created for theatrical performances, dance and song shows, and concerts.
Ms. Chen from Beijing made a “round-the-island” trip during the festival: the main part of the route, according to her carefully designed travel plan, consisted of unique events reflecting the local color of cities and counties. “This time I specifically followed the Festival’s event program, which gave me incredibly powerful impressions,” she shared.
According to the Chinese e-commerce platform Meituan, during the festival period, the volume of bookings for cultural and tourist services made by tourists from other regions of the country to Hainan Province increased by 25 percent compared to the same period last year, and the volume of bookings for hotels and guesthouses in this island province grew by 30 percent year-on-year.
The cities of Haikou, Sanya, and Danzhou jointly launched free transit bus routes covering major commercial areas, transport hubs, and event venues, providing seamless connections between urban districts and the festival’s main sites. In addition, many businesses organized convenient service spaces in tourist areas and squares, offering tourists free rest, informational support, and unique interactive experiences.
Catering enterprises, retail trade, and the hotel industry across the province have simultaneously launched special offers as part of the festival. Consumer discount coupons cover four main categories: dining outlets, shopping in malls, supermarkets, and gas stations. At the same time, duty-free shopping festivals, numerous concerts, as well as night markets and themed flash mobs are being held in shopping areas, at tourist attractions, and in duty-free shops, giving new momentum to the integrated development of duty-free trade and cultural tourism.
As Juan Zhiqin, the owner of a local restaurant, said, his establishment’s revenue significantly increased during the local Water Splashing Festival, and the consumer vouchers issued by the government provided substantial assistance for visitors in patronizing various shops.
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