China’s 2026 New Year holiday just rewrote the playbook for post-pandemic recovery! With 142 million domestic trips and a whopping 84.8 billion yuan ($12.1B) spent on tourism, this year’s celebrations proved winter travel is hot 🔥. From icy Harbin festivals to tropical Hainan beach escapes, travelers embraced diverse experiences.
Railways & Roads Packed 🚆
China’s railways handled 48.09 million passenger trips, peaking at 18.56 million on Day 1 – think of it as moving Australia’s entire population in 72 hours! Meanwhile, cross-border trips jumped 28.6% YoY to 6.61 million, with foreign visitors surging 29.8% from 2025 levels. Visa-free entries (292,000) alone spiked 35.8%, turbocharged by streamlined policies.
Winter Wonderland Economy ❄️💰
Tourism officials credit winter-themed tours and short-distance 'micro-cations' for keeping cash registers ringing. With tax refunds easier than ever for international shoppers, China’s blending wanderlust with wallet power – and Gen Z travelers are here for it 🌐✨.
