Ningbo ranks among top 10 rural tourism destinations in China

A rural scenic spot packed with tourists in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/Ningbo Evening News]

Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province has made the list of the top 10 most popular destinations for rural tourism in the country, according to a report released on June 27 by the online travel agency Ctrip.

The report revealed that Ningbo claimed the ninth spot on the list, with Beijing taking the lead, followed by Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, Sanya, Qinhuangdao, and Nanjing. The surge in demand for summer getaways amidst scorching temperatures has positioned rural tourism as one of the earliest beneficiaries of the summer travel market.

Ctrip data shows a significant increase - over 170 percent - in bookings for rural hotels and guesthouses across the country compared to the same period last year, following this year's Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

Notably, Ningbo not only ranks as a popular rural tourism destination but also serves as a key source of tourists for other areas. According to Ctrip's latest ranking of cities that prefer seeking summer retreats in rural areas, Ningbo ranks seventh alongside Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanning, and Xi'an.

Since 2016, rural tourism in Ningbo has experienced remarkable growth, becoming a pivotal driver of rural vitalization and common prosperity.

In 2022, Ningbo's rural tourism sites welcomed a total of 12.55 million visitors, marking an 8.72 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to the latest statistics from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Moreover, the total revenue generated from tourism operations reached 7.76 billion yuan ($1.07 billion), representing a year-on-year uptick of 4.95 percent.

The thriving rural tourism industry has also contributed significantly to employment in Ningbo. Over 70,000 rural residents, approximately 19 percent of the city's rural workforce, have found employment within the sector, further bolstering the local economy and livelihoods.