China’s Beijing and Shanghai Lead Record-Breaking Lunar New Year Tourism Surge in 2026

Published on February 26, 2026

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China’s Beijing, Shanghai, and other key destinations witnessed a massive tourism boom during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, the longest on record at nine days. Official data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed 596 million domestic trips and 803.5 billion yuan in tourism spending, marking substantial growth that signals a robust recovery for the tourism sector.

Record Holiday Length Fuels Travel

The 2026 Spring Festival holiday extended to nine days from February 15 to 23, surpassing previous years and encouraging widespread travel across China. This extension aligned with the official public holiday schedule, allowing more citizens to explore tourism hotspots like Beijing and Shanghai. The prolonged break significantly amplified tourism activity, with inter-regional passenger trips exceeding 2.8 billion during the period.

Government projections from the National Development and Reform Commission anticipated 9.5 billion total trips during the broader chunyun period, dominated by self-driving at eighty percent. Such scale underscores how the extended holiday directly propelled tourism volumes, benefiting destinations nationwide. Tourism infrastructure handled the influx efficiently, supporting economic momentum.

Massive Domestic Tourism Surge

Domestic tourism hit unprecedented levels, with 596 million trips representing a ninety-five million increase over 2025’s eight-day holiday. Beijing and Shanghai emerged as top draws, alongside provinces like Hunan, which logged 58.4 million tourist trips, up 8.28 percent year-on-year. This surge highlights the holiday’s role in revitalizing tourism, drawing families to cultural sites and scenic areas.

Tourism spending reached 803.5 billion yuan, a 126.5 billion yuan rise from last year, driven by visits to 5A scenic spots in monitored areas. In Hunan alone, 4.28 million visits to top attractions grew 60.82 percent, reflecting heightened interest in experiential tourism. The data illustrates how longer holidays positively impact tourism recovery post-pandemic.

Inbound and Outbound Travel Boom

Cross-border movements totaled 17.8 million, up 10.1 percent, with 1.313 million foreign entries showing 21.8 percent daily growth. Around four hundred sixty thousand arrivals used visa-free policies, enhancing inbound tourism to China’s major gateways. This influx promises sustained tourism growth, as international visitors flock to Beijing and Shanghai for festival experiences.

Outbound travel also galloped ahead, with daily averages hitting 2.05 million, a 14.1 percent increase, favoring Asian spots but circling back to boost domestic tourism. Expanded visa waivers and flight bookings up 400 percent fueled this trend. Overall, these patterns indicate the holiday’s extension will long-term elevate China’s global tourism appeal.

Transportation Handles Peak Demand

The Ministry of Transport reported 2.8 billion inter-regional trips, including 4.76 billion by road, two hundred fifty-eight million by rail, and 47.51 million by air. Cross-regional passenger traffic rose 8.2 percent, demonstrating resilient infrastructure. Such efficiency ensured smooth tourism flows to high-demand areas like Beijing and Shanghai.

Provinces ramped up capacities, with science museums seeing 3.5 million visits, up from 2025. This diversification broadens tourism beyond traditional sites, impacting sectors like innovation-themed travel positively. The holiday’s logistics success paves the way for future tourism expansions.

Economic Boost to Tourism Sectors

Tourism revenue in Hunan hit 57.351 billion yuan via UnionPay, surging 33.86 percent, mirroring national trends. Government stimuli, including vouchers, targeted tourism but showed varied per-person impacts. Nonetheless, the nine-day span catalyzed spending in hospitality and attractions across China.

Popular spots in Beijing and Shanghai benefited from 4A scenic visits up 72.64 percent in samples. This tourism windfall supports jobs and local economies, with the holiday acting as a catalyst. Emerging interests in tech museums signal evolving tourism preferences.

Lasting Tourism Recovery Impact

The 2026 Lunar New Year established new benchmarks, with tourism trips and spending shattering records amid the nine-day holiday. Destinations like Beijing and Shanghai led the charge, drawing millions and injecting vitality into the sector. This momentum, backed by official data, forecasts accelerated tourism growth through 2026.

Policy extensions and infrastructure upgrades will sustain this trajectory, making China a tourism powerhouse. Domestic enthusiasm combined with inbound rises ensures broad-based benefits. The event’s success reaffirms holidays as key drivers of tourism prosperity.