During the National Day holiday, people in the Yangtze River Delta went on fancy trips and the -flying- radius expanded

During the recent National Day holiday, the travel landscape in the Yangtze River Delta underwent a remarkable transformation. Upgraded tourist buses enabled cross-city travel, alongside a surge in domestic and international flight occupancy. Many residents expanded their travel horizons, venturing to explore distant treasures.

With ample time off and beautiful weather, tourists from the Yangtze River Delta eagerly set out for far-flung destinations. Highlights included the winter wonderland of Harbin, renowned for its ice activities, the spicy culinary scene in Tianshui, Gansu, and the cultural excitement surrounding the video game “Black Myth: Wukong” in cities like Kaifeng and Datong. Despite being lesser-known, places such as Hulunbuir, Lhasa, and Ganzhou saw a notable demand for flights, with young travelers sharing unique experiences—like observing otters fishing in Jiuzhaigou or spotting deer in Hulunbuir—across social media platforms.

As young travelers aimed to escape the crowds, niche destinations gained popularity. Many city dwellers opted to revisit their hometowns, embracing slow and immersive travel. Cultural experiences such as hanfu photography, engaging with intangible cultural heritage, and exploring historical sites resonated with backpackers and photography enthusiasts alike. Family-friendly attractions, including museum visits, outdoor education, and farm activities, drew significant interest from parents and kids. Cities like Jingdezhen, Guiyang, and Kaifeng experienced a boom in short-term rental bookings on platforms like Tujia.

This year’s holiday travel was defined by a sense of relaxation, focused on “one-stop” slow travel experiences. There was a spike in transportation demand in third- and fourth-tier cities, particularly for private car rentals that offered privacy and flexibility. Data from Didi Travel indicated that visitation rates at historic sites, such as Qianfo Temple (Little Western Paradise) in Linfen, Shanxi, saw over a 14-fold rise in transportation requests, fueled by the buzz around “Black Myth: Wukong.” Emerging travel patterns also revealed a more leisurely pace, with morning travel demand shifting from the peak hours of 7-9 AM to later in the day, and an increase in night travel requests.

The holiday’s impact extended beyond travel, positively affecting various sectors, such as dining, wedding services, gold jewelry sales, home appliance upgrades, car sales, and movie viewership. The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Commerce noted that from October 1 to 7, over 600 promotional activities were organized under the banner of “Su New Consumption, Golden Autumn Promotions,” including more than 200 trade-in events. Major retail enterprises in the province reported sales of approximately 5.806 billion yuan (around $800 million), reflecting a 3.6% increase from last year and a 7.4% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.