China’s domestic tourism during the 3-day New Year holiday period, lasting from Saturday, 30 December, to Monday, 1 January, surged 155.3% compared to the same holiday period between 2022 and 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported by China Daily.
Over the course of the extended weekend, 135 million people travelled across the country, not only exceeding year-on-year figures, but also climbing 9.4% over pre-pandemic levels. The revenue generated by these trips also exceeded 2019 levels by 5.6% and, at 79.7 billion yuan (€10.27 billion), rose by 200.7% from last year’s figures.
Although northern and northeastern provinces sought to stimulate tourism by promoting winter activities, Beijing offering 30,000 coupons for visitors to use on snow and ice urban ice and snow-themed projects and theme parks, it was the southern province of Guangdong Province that welcomed the most visitors.
The Guangdong Province welcomed 14.48 million tourists during the holiday period, surging 78.1% compared to last year and generating 8.9 billion (€1.15 billion) yuan in tourism revenue, almost double compared to last year and 12.1% over pre-pandemic figures, according to the province’s tourism authority.
After Guangdong, the southeast Sichuan Province saw 9.15 million tourists, up 80.7% from last year, with ticket sales for scenic spots reaching 83.15 million yuan (€10.7 million), 89.6% more than last year, according to the Sichuan tourism authority.
Shanghai welcomed over 7.18 million tourists during the extended weekend, 16.3% than last year, while Beijing only received 4.83 million visitors, but saw a high year on year increase of 80.5%, according to the municipal bureau of culture and tourism. The revenue generated by the capital’s 170 main scenic areas reached 324.71 million yuan (€41.78 million), 30.8% more than during the same period last year.
From the 135 million people travelling, 128 million trips were made on China’s transport network, 78.4% and 33.1% more than in 2023 and 2022 respectively. Train trips alone increased by 177.5% compared to last year, while trips taken by plane reached 5.19 million, 140.3% more than last year. On the other hand, trips taken on the road or via waterways only increased by 46.1% and 72.9% respectively, according to the Ministry of Transport.
