China is gearing up for a surge in domestic travellers during the upcoming Qingming Festival happening on 4 April.
Traditionally observed 15 days after the spring equinox, Qingming,
also known as grave-sweeping day, is a day for families to honour their
ancestors by visiting their tombs. However, in recent years, Qingming
has evolved beyond its solemn roots to encompass a broader range of
activities, including leisure travel and outdoor recreation.
According to Ctrip’s 2024 Qingming Travel Forecast, there's a
noticeable uptick in travel-related searches compared to previous years.
Hotel inquiries have surged by 67%, while air travel searches have seen
an 80% increase year-on-year. Additionally, car rental bookings have
skyrocketed by 240%, indicating a growing trend towards independent
travel experiences.
While renowned cities like Beijing and Shanghai continue to attract
visitors, lesser-known destinations such as Jingdezhen and Kaifeng are
gaining traction among domestic travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path
experiences. Tianshui, a city in Gansu province famed for its Malatang
street food, has garnered attention on social media platforms, drawing
younger travellers keen to explore its culinary delights.
Shanghai Spring Tour reported a nearly 200% increase in holiday
bookings compared to 2023 during the Qingming Festival, with spring
flower appreciation and hiking as the top choices. Families with
children and seniors dominate the market, favouring short-distance
trips. Popular destinations include Shanghai Disney Resort, Chongming
Island's spring flower festival, ancient towns like Jinze and Fengjing,
and natural attractions such as Qingxi Country Park and Jiading Wisteria
Garden in Shanghai.
According to Qunar.com,
there has been a bigger surge in bookings for this year's Qingming
Festival, with air tickets to destinations like Zhanzhang and Nyingchi
seeing over a 200% increase from 2023.
In 2023, China witnessed approximately 24 million domestic tourist
trips during the Qingming Festival, generating an estimated 6.52 billion
yuan (US$945 million) in tourist revenue. Despite the absence of a
consecutive three-day weekend, many Chinese travellers opted for one-day
sightseeing tours, contributing to the robust tourism activity during
this period.