China’s extended May Day holiday has ignited a massive travel boom, with millions of residents embarking on trips across the country and beyond.
The five-day break, which combines additional public holidays and a weekend, has seen Chinese travelers eager to make the most of the pleasant spring weather. According to the Ministry of Transport, an estimated 340.95 million domestic trips were made on the first day alone. This includes 22.5 million by train (an 8.7% increase from last year), 314.76 million by road (up 7.8%), 1.35 million by water (a 53.5% surge), and 2.34 million by air (a 9.1% rise).
Over the entire holiday, domestic tourist trips reached a staggering 314 million, as reported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen remained top destinations, while cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Kunming also attracted large numbers of visitors. Tickets to popular attractions were in high demand and often sold out quickly.
With traditional tourist hotspots becoming crowded, many travelers turned to “alternative tourism,” exploring unique and cost-effective destinations. Data from travel platform Qunar showed that hotel bookings extended to 1,229 county-level cities nationwide, with bookings in higher-star hotels rising by over 30% compared to last year. These lesser-known locations offered better value and a chance to avoid the crowds.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in travel planning. For those with limited time or budget for international trips, AI travel tools suggest domestic alternatives to famous global destinations. For example, Qinghai’s Genaier Lake is recommended as a budget-friendly substitute for the Maldives, Kanas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region offers a Swiss-like experience, and Weizhou Island in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is touted as China’s own Tahiti.
Longer-distance and in-depth travel have become new trends in the tourism market. This year’s May Day holiday could be extended to 11 days with additional leave, fueling demand for long-haul trips. Trip.com data indicates that the average travel distance during the holiday was significantly longer than during the Qingming Festival in early April, with over 80% of accommodation bookings involving intercity travel. Tuniu, a major online travel platform, reported that long-distance domestic trips accounted for 46% of total bookings.
Outbound tourism is experiencing a strong resurgence, with Chinese travelers exploring a broader range of international destinations. Qunar reported an increase of 177 international flight destinations compared to last year’s May Day holiday, with travelers reaching 1,303 cities worldwide.
Inbound tourism is also on the rise. Policies like the “instant tax refund” for overseas shoppers have boosted interest in traveling and shopping in China. The popularity of China-related content on social media platforms has further attracted international visitors. Trip.com data shows that inbound travel bookings during the holiday surged by 130% year on year.
Destinations across China are enhancing their cultural and tourism offerings, introducing diverse and locally tailored experiences. In Zhangjiajie’s Tianmen Mountain, Hunan Province, folk performances are bringing intangible heritage to life. Many cities have implemented people-centered measures such as multi-day admission tickets, cultural tourism vouchers, and opening government facilities to the public, all aimed at improving the travel experience and stimulating spending.
The unprecedented travel surge during this year’s May Day holiday highlights China’s thriving tourism industry and the eagerness of people to explore and connect with different parts of the country and the world.
