HAIKOU /China/, June 26. /TASS/. The South Chinese province of Hainan received over 1.58 million tourists over a three-day nationwide holiday on the occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival. According to the regional Department of Culture, Tourism, Broadcasting and Sports, this is an increase of 19.4% compared to the same period last year.

This year the festival celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, fell on June 22. The entire Chinese population officially took days off from June 22 to 24.

According to the department, the province's income from holidaymakers during this period amounted to 1.67 billion yuan ($231 million at current exchange rates), having increased by 34.6% year-on-year. The number of tourists visiting Hainan's sites increased by 56%.

Local travel agencies reported that besides beach holidays last weekend, camping, trips to fruit plantations and trips to the central part of the island were especially popular among tourists. Many visitors to Hainan traveled by car, choosing individual itineraries.

The Dragon Boat Festival in China dates back more than 2,000 years. It was celebrated in memory of the ancient Chinese poet and patriot Qiu Yuan (340-278 BC).