China's annual Golden Week holiday transformed into a nationwide movement on Wednesday, with millions embarking on journeys within hours of the National Day–Mid-Autumn Festival break commencing. Major attractions reported sold-out tickets by midday, while transport hubs buzzed with energy as families and solo travelers alike embraced the extended holiday period.
This year's unique overlap of the Mid-Autumn Festival – a traditional lunar harvest celebration – with National Day created an eight-day official break. Many workers strategically extended their leave to craft 12-day vacations, enabling unprecedented cross-regional mobility. The Ministry of Transport reported staggering figures: 340 million passenger trips on October 1 alone, with total holiday travel projected to reach 2.36 billion journeys.
Analysts suggest this travel frenzy signals renewed consumer confidence and economic vitality. 'The scale of movement exceeds pre-pandemic levels,' noted tourism expert Dr. Li Wei. 'From high-speed rail stations to provincial highway rest stops, every transit point tells a story of pent-up demand meeting improved infrastructure.'
Cultural landmarks like the Great Wall and West Lake saw early morning queues, while digital nomads capitalized on remote work flexibility to blend travel with productivity. The phenomenon particularly benefits smaller cities, with social media trends driving interest in lesser-known destinations.
