Travel Trends and Celebrations for 2025 National Day

Vibrant cityscape with fireworks and festive colors.

During the upcoming 2025 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, it's anticipated that an impressive 888 million domestic trips will take place across China. This surge in travel is supported by a diverse range of cultural and tourism products, services, and activities being offered throughout various regions, ensuring a stable and orderly cultural and tourism market nationwide.

According to estimations from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's data center, this 8-day holiday will see a growth of 123 million trips compared to the previous year's 7-day holiday in 2024. The overall expenditure for domestic travel is projected to reach 809 billion yuan, reflecting a significant increase of over 108 billion yuan from the previous year.

The convergence of the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival is indeed igniting enthusiasm in the travel market. Many historical sites are not just opening their doors but are also enhancing visitor experiences with innovative exhibitions and interactive activities designed to nurture a sense of patriotism among travelers.

Popular destinations such as Jinggangshan in Jiangxi, Yan'an in Shaanxi, Orange Isle in Changsha, Hunan, and South Lake in Jiaxing, Zhejiang are welcoming a growing number of visitors. Events themed around harvest celebrations and the Mid-Autumn Festival are particularly in demand, including the autumn harvest culture season in Huangling Scenic Area, Jiangxi, and the engaging 'Moonwalk' event at the Shanghai Planetarium.

Significant institutions like the Hubei Provincial Museum and the Shenyang Palace Museum are hosting unique events during the Mid-Autumn Festival. For nature enthusiasts, the 'Slow Walk to Appreciate Autumn' hiking route on Jilin Changbai Mountain is another delightful option. There’s also a concerted effort to blend urban and rural consumer experiences, exemplified by the integration of shopping and performances in Changsha and the 'Village Horse' event in Tandi Water Autonomy County, Guizhou, which combines cultural markets with festive long-table banquets.

Additionally, inbound tourism is witnessing a revival, with an increasing number of international travelers exploring attractions such as Chongqing’s Ciqikou Ancient Town and Xi’an's Big Tang Night City, where cultural and shopping experiences are highly favored.

The fusion of culture and tourism is giving rise to innovative experiences. The vibrant atmosphere surrounding intangible cultural heritage is highlighted by events like the 'Hundred Dramas Lantern Festival' in Nanjing, the captivating iron flower display in Tongling, and exciting fire-spouting folklore at Longmen Ancient Street in Luoyang.

Moreover, major cities are celebrating various cultural performances, including Beijing’s 9th China Traditional Opera Culture Week, which showcases outstanding performances from different traditional forms like Kunqu and Gan opera. The holiday period is dotted with enchanting exhibitions, such as the 'National Expressive Art Exhibition' at the National Art Museum of China and theatrical performances like 'Thunderstorm' by the Beijing People's Art Theatre, all of which promise to attract large audiences.

Technology is further enriching these experiences, as seen in spots like the robot-themed district in Longgang, Shenzhen, alongside engaging attractions including robot restaurants and immersive water screen movies in places like Ginkgo Valley, Suizhou. This blend of 'Cultural Tourism + Technology' is poised to offer visitors unprecedented enjoyment.