As the National Day holiday draws near, homestays in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, are experiencing a surge in inquiries and bookings.

Shenxianju scenic area, a 5A-rated destination in Xianju county, leads the city in tourist arrivals. The recent opening of the Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-speed Railway has injected fresh vigor into the tourism industry along its route, keeping homestay owners both busy and elated.

In Shangye village in Xianju, due to its proximity to the scenic area, 75 of 174 households in the village run homestays. Several homestays feature children's game rooms, chess rooms, board game rooms, KTV, and other entertainment spaces.

Lingtao Homestay on Dachen Island is characterized by the style of the Republic of China (1912-49). With eight sea-view rooms and proximity to the popular Meihuawan street, it enjoys high and stable occupancy rates. Guests can even process seafood in the homestay.

"Rooms for Oct 2, 3, and 5 are fully booked," said the homestay's owner. 

Taizhou's homestay industry has become a hallmark of its tourism industry, boasting over 1,200 homestays citywide. According to Yang Yong, secretary-general of the Taizhou Homestay Association, bookings for the National Day holiday are currently at 60 percent to 70 percent.

In recent years, tourism has seen a shift towards experiential, interactive, and personalized experiences, inspiring homestay operators to integrate homestays with entertainment to provide tourists with more diverse and immersive experiences.