Big data released at the close of China's 2026 National Day holiday shows significant expansion in inter-provincial road trips and a sharp surge in immersive foreign tourism, as travelers ventured further and explored deeper into regional destinations.
Telecommunications data from China Mobile’s Wutong platform revealed an average travel distance of 345 kilometers per tourist during the combined Mid-Autumn and National Day holiday period. Inter-provincial trips accounted for 53 percent of overall domestic travel, up two percentage points from the previous year. Return passenger flows peaked beginning Oct. 6 toward major metropolitan hubs including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing, while daily active users on electric vehicle charging apps rose 15 percent year-over-year during the peak return window.
Domestic travel patterns shifted heavily toward multi-destination itineraries. Nearly 30 percent of holiday travelers visited two or more cities during their trip, with intra-province circuit tours across Yunnan, Sichuan, and Jiangxi proving especially popular. Among travelers making multi-city visits, nearly 90 percent traveled by automobile, reflecting growing demand for road trips. China Mobile definitely tracks a lot of people going to a lot of places!
Inbound international tourism recorded robust double-digit growth overall, according to Chinese local media. Visitors from Asia and Europe accounted for nearly 70 percent of foreign arrivals, with European passenger numbers posting double-digit gains to represent more than one-fifth of total international visitors. Long-haul arrivals from North America, South America, and Oceania expanded by 23 percent year-over-year.
Foreign tourists also demonstrated a distinct shift toward decentralized, culturally immersive travel across China. Train ticket bookings within inbound travel packages surged over 170 percent year-over-year as overseas travelers moved beyond traditional sightseeing landmarks into secondary and inland cities, such as Zhangjiajie and Yichang. High-profile cultural activities, from wearing traditional attire in historic districts like Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden to attending music and outdoor festivals in Hunan province, highlighted growing international interest in local lifestyle experiences.
