Visitors interact with a horse-themed artistic installation at Qianwang Temple. [Photo/WeChat account: visithangzhou]

The scenic area around West Lake welcomed more than 5.06 million visits during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday, up 16.17 percent from the previous year.

To celebrate the holiday, the scenic area introduced festive decorations, exhibitions and cultural activities, creating a vibrant Chinese New Year atmosphere along the lakeside.

At Liuhe Pagoda, visitors stopped to photograph themed floral displays and festive installations. Some also collected special Year of the Horse commemorative stamps at nearby exhibition spaces as part of holiday activities.

Elsewhere, decorations featuring horse motifs and seasonal flowers lined major roads, while scenic spots such as Qianwang Temple became popular photo stops following the popularity of the TV drama Swords into Plowshares.

Authorities strengthened visitor management during the busy period, deploying more than 5,000 security personnel daily and organizing volunteer services along major routes such as Su Causeway.

With enhanced services, cultural events and improved crowd management, the West Lake scenic area offered visitors a lively and memorable Spring Festival experience.

A cultural performance is staged at a tourist site near the West Lake. [Photo/WeChat account: visithangzhou]