China’s eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday set a new record for domestic tourism, with 888 million trips made across the country — an increase of 123 million compared to last year’s seven-day National Day holiday. According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic tourism spending reached 809 billion yuan (about 113.8 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year rise of 108 billion yuan.
The extended holiday period, along with flexible “leave-stitching” arrangements, allowed travelers to plan longer trips. The China Tourism Academy reported that the average travel distance increased by 14.8 percent to 213 kilometers, while the average sightseeing range within destinations grew 24.5 percent to 23 kilometers. Data from major travel platforms such as Trip.com and Fliggy showed that bookings for long-haul domestic tours rose 3 percent year on year, while Chinese tourists traveled to more than 180 countries and regions. The National Immigration Administration announced that there were 16.34 million cross-border trips during the holiday.
Both urban and rural residents embraced the holiday spirit. Across China, 22 percent of rural residents traveled, making 102 million trips. Over 40 percent of all tourists chose quieter destinations over major cities. Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, noted that young people from small towns and rural areas have become a rising force in the tourism market. Travelers are increasingly drawn to small towns rich in local culture, traditional experiences, and technological charm. Nationwide, over 29,000 cultural and tourism events were held, and 480 million yuan worth of consumption coupons were distributed to boost spending. As Dai emphasized, “Cultural experiences and emotional value have become central to holiday tourism.”