During the Chinese mainland’s National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday week, airports in Beijing and Shanghai turned into bustling hubs as families, young couples and retirees joined a massive outbound travel wave 🌏✈️. With an eight-day break overlapping two major celebrations, more than 23 million passenger trips were recorded on day one alone.
Japan topped the charts as travelers chased vibrant autumn colors 🍁, soothing onsen baths and neon-lit streets in Tokyo. Visa-free entry to Thailand and Singapore, along with relaxed entry rules for Japan, helped international bookings jump 130% compared to 2024.
At the heart of this surge is a confident middle class of over 400 million people. Beyond sightseeing, they’re seeking meaningful experiences – imagine cooking classes in Kyoto, mountain trails in Hokkaido or street-food tours in Bangkok. For many, travel has become a form of self-expression and a mini rebellion against economic fatigue.
The ripple effects are felt across Asia. Resorts in Bali, beach towns in Vietnam and Singapore’s shopping districts report fuller bookings and stronger revenues. These journeys do more than boost tourism: they deepen regional ties, fostering cultural exchange and economic interdependence.
Meanwhile, domestic hotspots like Zhangjiajie and Xiamen also saw a rebound, proving that whether at home or abroad, travelers are on the move. One destination gets crowded, and then the crowd simply shifts to the next picture-perfect spot.
Reference(s):
Asian travel boom during China's National Day, Mid-Autumn holiday week
cgtn.com
