Tourists visit a lantern fair at a night market in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/Xinhua)BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- More than halfway through China's nine-day Spring Festival holiday, which began on Feb. 15, travel enthusiasm shows no signs of slowing.Across the country, visitors are flocking to destinations where glowing lanterns, lively temple fairs, and colorful folk parades fill the air with festive cheer, seeking immersive experiences of traditional culture.Transport authorities estimate that average daily cross-regional trips during the holiday may reach a record 299 million. Meanwhile, travel platform data also show searches for folk activities more than doubled year on year.TRADITION MEETS INNOVATIONDuring the holiday, Lin Yu, a history lover from Guangdong Province with a keen interest in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), traveled to Qinghefang Historic and Culture Feature Street in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.The 800-year-old district, once a bustling commercial hub, is hosting a lineup of cultural activities, with tech-driven performances stealing the spotlight. Robot dogs move in rhythm with traditional lion dances, while drones paint phoenix patterns across the night sky, creating a dazzling festive display.You can see history come alive here while soaking in the festive buzz, Lin said, adding that he had made the special trip after hearing about the festive events being held there.Beyond the high-tech spectacles, this year's Spring Festival is also offering various immersive and interactive settings where visitors can engage directly with traditions and experience the depth of Chinese culture.At the Xi'an City Wall scenic area, a themed lantern fair illuminates the centuries-old ramparts, featuring 39 zodiac horse installations, including winged designs inspired by historical relics. Inside the site, a national-level intangible cultural heritage string-puppet exhibition is on display.Th...