Title: Over 10 Million Visitors Flood Sichuan Museums During Summer Vacation, Setting a New Record
Sichuan Province’s Museums Witness Unprecedented Visitor Surge Over Summer Vacation
Sichuan Province in China has experienced an unprecedented influx of visitors to its museums during the recent summer vacation, with over 10 million people flocking to these cultural institutions. This figure marks a new high, reflecting the growing interest in cultural tourism and the appeal of Sichuan’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
A Booming Cultural Tourism Scene
The summer vacation, traditionally a peak season for travel, saw museums across Sichuan province bustling with activity. According to the cover news report, the museums and memorial halls in the province received over 10 million visitors, with the Chengdu Museum alone welcoming more than 7.12 million people.
The surge in visitors can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the increasing popularity of cultural tourism and the diverse range of exhibitions and activities offered by museums. The museum fever was so intense that some institutions, particularly the popular ones like the Sanxingdui Museum, were sold out with tickets in high demand.
Extended Hours and Diverse Offerings
To accommodate the overwhelming response, many museums extended their opening hours and organized a variety of cultural and educational activities. The Sichuan Museum, for instance, remained open for an additional 73.5 hours during the summer break, offering a range of hands-on workshops and cultural experiences such as cloisonné making, lacquer ware crafting, and tea ceremony events.
The Sanxingdui Museum, known for its significant archaeological finds, saw a record 1.37 million visitors during the summer. The museum extended its closing time to 8 PM for 62 consecutive days to cater to the influx of visitors, many of whom were from out of town.
Challenges and Responses
Despite the overwhelming popularity, the surge in visitors also brought challenges. Issues such as ticket scalping, insufficient professional guides, and poor visitor experience were brought to light. To address these, museums and authorities took several measures.
The Sanxingdui Museum implemented a multi-pronged approach to tackle ticket scalping, including打击人工“黄牛”, technical measures against automated scalping, and high-tech means to combat隐蔽性 “黄牛”. The efforts resulted in the successful interception of malicious requests, ensuring fair ticket distribution.
The Chengdu Cultural and Tourism Bureau collaborated with major online travel agencies to remove products related to ticket sales, thereby cutting off the source of scalping. Additionally, law enforcement agencies conducted checks on travel and study groups, penalizing违规旅行社 and restricting access to those found engaging in illegal activities.
Looking Ahead: Continuous Improvement and Growth
The summer vacation’s success has prompted museums to reflect on their practices and plan for future improvements. The Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism emphasized the need to refine work mechanisms, enhance capacity, and improve service quality.
The department’s director, Tang Fei, stressed the importance of enriching exhibitions and educational activities, strengthening safety management, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality cultural products to meet the public’s growing cultural needs. The goal is to transform museums into cultural landmarks and safe, orderly educational venues.
Conclusion
The record-breaking visitor numbers at Sichuan’s museums during the summer vacation highlight the increasing importance of cultural tourism in the region. With the right strategies and continuous improvements, these institutions are well-positioned to cater to the growing demand, offering enriching experiences and contributing to the cultural development of the province.
Views: 0