Tourists visit the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, Gansu province. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

Tianshui's tourism market is experiencing a sustained surge, fueled by the recent social media frenzy surrounding its famed 'malatang' — a mix of foods boiled in hot, spicy broth.

Data shows that on April 26, the city welcomed 181,000 visitors, generating tourism revenue of 106 million yuan ($14.72 million), representing a 2.7 percent and 2.5 percent increase compared to the previous day. Since March, Tianshui has received a cumulative total of 9.73 million tourists, generating tourism revenue of 5.64 billion yuan ($796 million).

As of 5 pm on April 26, online platforms witnessed over 520,000 short videos and articles related to "Gansu Tianshui Malatang," "Gansu Cuisine," and "Gansu Cultural Tourism." These garnered a total of 30.62 billion views, a 1.7 percent increase with 510 million more views than the previous day. The content also received a staggering 2.49 billion likes and 1.72 billion engagements.

Beyond the impressive online and offline statistics, Tianshui's Maijishan Scenic Area has clinched the fourth spot on the "Meadin Academy's 2024 March 5A-Level Scenic Area Brand Influence Top 100 List." It also secured the top spot for "Comprehensive Attraction Tourist Scenic Area" and "Northwest Region Category." This spring, Tianshui's tourism industry has reaped a rich harvest of good news and remarkable achievements.