China’s tourism sector demonstrated remarkable vitality during the recent New Year’s Day holiday period, with official data revealing substantial economic activity across domestic destinations. According to statistics released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the three-day holiday commencing Thursday witnessed approximately 142 million domestic tourist excursions nationwide.
The holiday period, which spanned from January 1 to January 3, 2026, generated approximately 84.8 billion yuan (equivalent to $12.13 billion) in tourism revenue, signaling a robust recovery in domestic consumption patterns. The figures underscore China’s continuing shift toward domestic tourism as a primary economic driver within the service sector.
Across the country, citizens engaged in diverse leisure activities, from cultural experiences to natural sightseeing. In Nanning, capital of South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, visitors flocked to scenic areas to admire chrysanthemum displays, as captured in aerial drone photography on January 3. The imagery revealed vibrant crowds enjoying floral exhibitions and other holiday attractions.
The tourism surge occurred alongside increased mobility nationwide, with reports indicating nearly 20% growth in daily passenger trips throughout the holiday period. Additionally, border authorities recorded approximately 6.62 million cross-border trips, reflecting renewed international travel interest following recent developments in travel policies.
Industry analysts suggest these numbers represent not only pent-up travel demand but also the effectiveness of government initiatives promoting domestic tourism and cultural consumption. The data provides encouraging indicators for China’s broader economic outlook as the country continues to implement measures stimulating domestic demand and supporting service industry recovery.