China’s Holiday Rush: Rail Trips Hit 160M as Travelers Embrace Luxury & Adventure 🌏
The Chinese mainland’s eight-day Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday became a whirlwind of travel and spending, with the railway network handling over 160 million passenger trips between September 27 and October 6. The single-day record smashed on September 29 with 20.09 million trips—enough to fill 22,000 planes! ✈️
Outbound Travel Surges 800% 📈
Tourism platforms reported an eightfold jump in international bookings compared to 2022, as travelers swapped crowded domestic hotspots for destinations like Thailand and Japan. Meanwhile, niche spots like rural tea villages or ‘hidden gem’ cities gained traction for their Instagram-ready vibes. 📸
From Budget to ‘VIP’ Vacations 💼
CGTN interviewed travelers in Hong Kong and Shanghai, where many shared plans to upgrade their trips. ‘Why rush? I’d rather splurge on a premium hotel and actually relax,’ said one Shanghai resident. Gone are the days of ‘special-forces-style’ itineraries—think more slow travel, spa days, and curated food tours. 🍜
