China's recent Qingming Festival holiday underscored evolving travel patterns and consumer behaviors, signaling fresh vitality in domestic markets. Preliminary data from the Ministry of Transport revealed approximately 790 million cross-regional trips during the three-day period—a 7.1% year-on-year increase—with road travel dominating at 730 million trips. Over 90% of these journeys were self-driven, reflecting a deepening affinity for flexible mobility.
Ride-hailing platform DiDi Chuxing reported a 14% rise in taxi demand, with peak periods exceeding 110,000 orders per minute. Meanwhile, cross-border activity surged, as 6.21 million travelers passed through Chinese ports—a 19.7% annual increase—according to the National Immigration Administration.
Short-haul tourism emerged as a defining trend, with nearby tour bookings jumping 136%. Over 70% of tourists opted for trips shorter than three days, while 44% prioritized car-based itineraries. Analysts suggest these patterns highlight a consumer base increasingly valuing spontaneity and localized experiences, offering new pathways for businesses to engage domestic travelers.
