Stocking up on New Year goodies, reuniting with loved ones, and diving into vibrant temple fairs—China’s Spring Festival is not just a cherished tradition; it’s igniting an economic boom across the nation.
Extended Holiday Fuels Tourism Frenzy
This year, the Chinese government has extended the Spring Festival holiday to eight days by designating New Year’s Eve as a statutory holiday. The longer break has sparked a tourism surge, with millions seizing the opportunity to travel. According to the Ministry of Transport, the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush is expected to set new records, projecting over 9 billion trips.
“The longer holiday gives me the flexibility to both visit family and take a trip,” said Fang Ying from Lanzhou City, who plans to reunite with her family before heading to Japan for skiing.
Online travel agencies report significant increases in bookings. Flight data from Qunar shows a 50% rise in travelers purchasing multiple tickets compared to last year. With the Spring Festival now recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, destinations showcasing traditional cultural activities are drawing massive crowds. Events like Quanzhou’s puppet shows, Shantou’s Yingge dance, and Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival have become must-see attractions.
Outbound tourism is also booming. Chinese tourists visited over 2,100 cities worldwide, a 50% increase from last year. Popular destinations include Japan, Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Australia, and Vietnam.
Global Visitors Join the Celebration
Relaxed visa policies are inviting more international visitors to China during the Spring Festival. Inbound travel orders have surged by 203% year-on-year, with tourists arriving from South Korea, Japan, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
To enhance their experience, many attractions have introduced special activities. Chengdu’s Wuhou Temple hosted a “Little Fortune God” event, where foreign children were chosen to bring good luck for the year ahead.
“I heard the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival is a must-see event in Shanghai, and it truly lives up to its reputation,” said a visitor from Singapore. Experiencing China for the first time, she also enjoyed local delicacies like Chinese pancakes, fried dough sticks, glutinous rice rolls, and soy milk.
To make travel easier, apps like Baidu Maps have launched English versions, helping international tourists navigate and explore over 1.5 million points of interest.
Box Office Bonanza
While many are traveling, others are flocking to cinemas for the Spring Festival film lineup. This year’s movies include highly anticipated titles like “Ne Zha 2,” “Detective Chinatown 1900,” “Creation of the Gods II,” and “Operation Hadal,” spanning genres from animation to action.
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, box office revenue hit a record-breaking 1.806 billion yuan (about $251 million), exceeding the 2021 record. By January 31, total earnings surpassed 4 billion yuan, with “Ne Zha 2” leading the way at 1.3 billion yuan.
The success highlights the rising popularity of domestic films and intellectual properties, signaling a promising future for China’s film industry. Analysts believe this trend will continue, boosting creative new works and establishing Chinese film IPs as powerful global brands.
