Booming market

The Spring Festival holiday is a prime period for the consumer market, especially in the entertainment, tourism and shopping sectors.

The movie industry is one of the beneficiaries of the Spring Festival spending spree, as watching movies has become a new way of family reunion.

To cater to this demand, many cinemas in Shanxi have presented special offerings for families during the period.

For instance, the animated film Boonie Bears: The Hidden Protector was screened at the Wanda Cinema in Taiyuan.

With a continuous presence in the Chinese New Year film season for 12 consecutive years, the Boonie Bears has become the first domestic animated movie series in China to accompany audience members through the entire Chinese zodiac cycle, creating cherished New Year memories for families.

Xiang Ying, a Taiyuan resident, took her son to the cinema on Feb 20 to watch the film. "I have watched the movie with my son every Spring Festival in recent years," she said."The movie is something that has accompanied my child's growth and a catalyst for family love."

On that day, Wanda Cinema Taiyuan received about 11,000 visits. It garnered a box office revenue of 598,000 yuan ($87,455), ranking it second among cinemas nationwide.

While the 2026 Winter Olympic Games were held in Italy, winter sports became a flourishing tourism sector in Shanxi.

On Feb 18, Wang Kun, a retired teacher of 60, took to the professional course at the Jiulong International Ski Resort in the city of Jinzhong. She skied in an easy manner, leaving two elegant trails behind her. She showed a skill that defied her age.

"I love skiing, which can free me from all worldly worries," Wang said.