China is experiencing a holiday travel surge as the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday begins. Consequently, millions of visitors are exploring cultural sites, historic streets, and scenic attractions, reflecting a holiday travel surge that boosts local economies across the country.
According to the Ministry of Transport, roughly 2.36 billion passenger trips are expected nationwide during this period. As a result, local tourism sectors are benefiting as visitors engage in scenic, cultural, and interactive experiences. Moreover, this surge highlights the growing influence of cultural tourism on regional economies.
For example, in Henan Province, Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City offers an interactive Song Dynasty-themed park. Tourists can meet actors dressed as swordsmen and storytellers. Furthermore, the park hosts nearly 2,000 performances daily, providing an immersive experience that contributes to the holiday travel surge. “We created a system that makes traditional culture interactive and shareable,” said Wang Xueying, the park’s publicity manager.
Similarly, in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, the Puhe River’s molten iron fireworks attracted large crowds. Originally a harvest ritual, the fireworks now combine artistry and tradition, adding cultural depth to the holiday travel surge. In addition, visitors enjoyed sugar painting demonstrations, providing hands-on engagement with traditional arts.
Experts note that integrating culture with interactive activities has transformed tourism from passive sightseeing into active participation. Zhang Xiangyu, head of Henan’s cultural and tourism planning academy, explained, “Cultural tourism revitalizes heritage while creating economic value and supporting the holiday travel surge.” Therefore, these experiences enhance both engagement and spending.
Creativity and government incentives are further fueling consumption. Last week, the National Cultural and Tourism Consumption Month issued subsidies exceeding 480 million yuan to encourage participation. Likewise, tourism platforms like Tuniu reported nearly a 10 percent increase in bookings on the holiday’s first day, reflecting the economic impact of the holiday travel surge.
In cities like Zhengzhou and Benxi, visitors flocked to exhibitions, pop-up markets, and maple festivals. These events combine cultural immersion with modern consumption, further sustaining the holiday travel surge while offering diverse experiences. Additionally, photography, performances, and creative markets continue to attract tourists.
Overall, cultural tourism during this holiday demonstrates China’s ability to blend tradition with innovation. Consequently, officials and industry observers agree that the holiday travel spike highlights how cultural experiences can drive domestic tourism growth. Looking ahead, holidays will increasingly leverage culture to energize local economies and enhance visitor engagement.
