China's 2026 New Year holiday consumption surged to unprecedented levels, with 142 million domestic trips generating 84.8 billion yuan ($12.1 billion) in tourism revenue, according to Ministry of Culture and Tourism data. The three-day period ending January 3 saw winter-themed tours and short-distance excursions drive market vitality, signaling sustained economic momentum.
Domestic Travel Surge
Rail networks handled 48.09 million passenger trips during the holiday, peaking at 18.56 million on January 1. This reflects growing consumer confidence and improved transportation infrastructure across the Chinese mainland.
Cross-Border Tourism Growth
International travel rebounded sharply with 6.61 million cross-border trips – a 28.6% year-on-year daily average increase. Foreign visitor entries reached 828,000 from January 1-3, with 292,000 benefiting from visa-free policies (35.8% YoY growth). Streamlined tax refund services further enhanced China's appeal as a global tourism destination.
Policy Reforms Bear Fruit
The National Immigration Administration reports that visa facilitation measures are transforming inbound tourism into a key consumption driver. Analysts suggest these figures position China for stronger Q1 economic performance as service sector recovery accelerates.
