During the recent May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, 2025, Chinese travelers undertook approximately 314 million domestic trips, which represents a 6.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, as reported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Tourist spending during this holiday also escalated significantly, reaching 180.3 billion yuan (approximately 25 billion U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent year-on-year increase.

The May Day holiday is known for being one of the busiest travel periods in China, prompting millions to travel for family visits, leisure activities, and exploration of domestic destinations.

The surge in travel activity contributed positively to key sectors such as transportation, tourism, and retail.

Transportation hubs experienced considerable congestion, with highways heavily trafficked and train tickets selling out rapidly.

Major tourist spots saw high visitor numbers, indicating a robust revival of consumer enthusiasm within China’s economy.

Even in the evening hours, celebrations continued with local governments in regions like Guangxi organizing vibrant nighttime events, including carnivals, spectacular light displays, and open-air concerts, aimed at revitalizing the nightlife and encouraging longer consumer participation.

According to official data, renowned nighttime cultural and tourist zones recorded nearly 76 million visits during the holiday, illustrating a 5.2 percent increase from the previous year.

In response to the increased demand for travel, local governments and tourism operators utilized technological advancements to enhance the travel experience.

In Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, for instance, an AI-powered system was implemented to assist visitors in efficiently planning their routes by analyzing real-time traffic and crowd data across various attractions.

Meanwhile, visitors to Qingcheng Mountain in Sichuan encountered robotic exoskeletons designed to facilitate trekking, alongside drone delivery services for snacks and essentials.

The revival of inbound tourism was also evident, with nearly 10.9 million trips recorded by both Chinese and foreign nationals during the five-day holiday—averaging 2.18 million trips per day, which is a 28.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

The growing interest from international tourists, particularly from countries such as Myanmar, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Australia, and the United Kingdom, has contributed to this rebound.

The implementation of visa-free policies has further encouraged this trend, with 380,000 foreigners entering China under such arrangements during the holiday, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 72.7 percent.

To enhance the welcome for international visitors, China has recently expanded its visa-free policies, allowing for extended stays and simplified procedures, including instant tax refunds for departing tourists.

Notably, visa-free entry has been extended to citizens of 38 countries, while the visa-free transit policy for nationals of 54 countries has been extended to 240 hours.