Tourists Embrace Extended Holidays in China
Date: October 3, 2026
Location: Yangliuqing Ancient Town, Tianjin, China
Tourists interact with actors at Yangliuqing ancient town in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ran)
Overview
China’s National Day travel market has seen a significant boost, particularly with the overlap of the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day breaks. Many travelers have taken advantage of this by extending their trips, resulting in a surge of bookings for long-distance travel and experience-based itineraries.
Key Trends
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Extended Holidays:
- Travelers are linking the two holidays with annual leave, creating a 13-day holiday for many. Data shows one in ten travelers have made this connection.
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Increased Bookings:
- Hotels in multiple cities are seeing a rise in bookings. Nearly 30% of travelers booked accommodations in two or more cities, with a remarkable 53% increase in those opting for stays across four or more cities.
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Long-Distance Travel:
- Flight bookings for journeys over 2,000 km increased by 76% year-on-year during this travel period, accounting for over 25% of total flight bookings.
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Diverse Experiences:
- Travelers like Yuan You are blending their agendas, opting for both sightseeing and learning experiences, such as woodworking in Chengdu after visiting Jiuzhaigou.
Insights
- The extended holiday period encourages tourism behavior that spreads trips throughout the holiday rather than concentrating them on peak days.
- This change is beneficial for various sectors including hospitality and services, sustaining demand beyond just the holiday peaks.
By leveraging holidays effectively, Chinese travelers are setting new travel trends that emphasize both leisure and enriched experiences.
