Travel surges in China during Qingming holiday

China witnessed a marked increase in travel activities over the 2025 Qingming Festival holiday, as pent-up demand, and growing interest in traditional culture and spring tourism fueled a nationwide travel boom.

According to official estimates, the average daily traffic volume on the country's expressways reached approximately 59 million vehicles, a 1.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year. New energy vehicles made up around 18 percent of the total daily traffic, reflecting the growing popularity of eco-friendly travel options.

Railways also saw a significant uptick. On Sunday alone, the national railway network is expected to handle 20 million passenger trips as travelers conclude their holiday, with 1,214 additional trains scheduled to accommodate the surge in demand.

Online travel platforms reported a 136 percent week-on-week increase in bookings for short-distance trips during the holiday, with flower viewing and mountain climbing among the most popular springtime activities. Flower tours, in particular, saw a 55 percent rise in bookings compared to the previous week, signaling a strong seasonal trend.

Tourist attractions across the country recorded high footfall. On the first day of the holiday, the Huangshan Scenic Area in Anhui Province welcomed 233,100 visitors, a 54.04 percent year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, interest in traditional Qingming customs also saw a resurgence. Data from Tongcheng Travel,  a Suzhou-based online travel agency, indicated that searches related to traditional cultural and folk experiences rose by 75 percent year-on-year. Beijing, Nanjing, Xi'an, Chongqing, and Suzhou emerged as the top destinations for those seeking to engage with China's rich historical and cultural heritage.

Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on April 4 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival for people to pay tribute to the dead and worship their ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for Chinese people to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing.