China expects record-breaking National Day holiday travel

As Chinese celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, tourism surges across the country thanks to a variety of cultural, historical, and recreational activities, allowing visitors to enjoy unique experience at every corner.

A mix of local getaways, long-distance trips, and hometown visits during the seven-day holiday which started on Tuesday has driven up the ticket sales for scenic spots. On Tuesday, scenic area ticket sales have seen a year-on-year growth of 37 percent while homestay reservations increased by 55 percent.

In Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains, a Taiwanese tourist Hsieh Yiting was captivated by the natural landscape and cuisine.

"We drove here to this homestay village recently. The food here is something I've never tried before in my hometown. I love the scenery and the food here," said Hsieh.

In Xiamen City's Gulangyu Island, music offered the visitors both an elegant vibe and a patriot atmosphere, as many pianists played the beautiful melody of "My Motherland and Me" on 32 pianos across the island.

"The atmosphere here is so lively, and the strong sense of music is what stands out the most," said a tourist from Zhejiang Province.

Data from tourism agencies shows more people are opting for long-distance trips during this National Day holiday. The proportion of long-distance trips rose by 6 percent compared to the same period last year. Some of the most popular destinations include Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Chongqing.

Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts have found ways to stay active, like in Jiangsu's Yangma Town, where a lively running event brought together runners to celebrate the holiday.

Red tourism, a form to tourism where visitors make visits to sites of historical significance to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese Revolution, has also drawn significant interest, with daily bookings up 40 percent compared to last year. Many people are taking the opportunity to visit revolutionary sites and patriotic landmarks.

"The most exciting moment was passing by the Tian'anmen Square. I saw the giant flower bed, and then Tian'anmen itself. I was truly excited," said a tourist named Guo Zixuan.

"Based on the public's travel wills, booking indices, and local preparations [for the tourism boom], we anticipate that [the number of travelers] during this year's National Day holiday will once again hit a record high," said Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy.

China expects record-breaking National Day holiday travel

China's car trade-in program stimulates consumption during the National Day holiday as visitors are flocking to auto shows held in the country.

The Shenzhen October International Auto Show kicked off in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday, which is also the first day of the seven-day National Day holiday, drawing a throng of passionate citizens to visit the show and buy new cars. The five-day show drew about 120,000 people to visit on Tuesday, generating a revenue of 1.5 billion yuan (around 213.13 million U.S. dollars).

Last month, a new round of car trade-in policies rolled out by the local government allows local citizens to enjoy a maximum subsidy of 30,000 yuan (about 4,262.63 U.S. dollars) when they scrap their old cars to buy new ones.

"I want to buy a car priced under 300,000 yuan (about 42,625.74 U.S. dollars), and it is about 60,000 yuan (8,525.51 U.S. dollars) cheaper after the trade-in," said a citizen surnamed Luo.

Apart from government policies, subsidies and discounts provided by car brands at the exhibition also contribute to this shopping frenzy.

"It's beyond our expectation. The fourth quarter is traditionally a peak season for car sales, and this bustling scene boosts our confidence," said Hu Qing, sales manager of a brand at the auto show.

In Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, over 200 models from 50 auto companies are being showcased at an auto show held in the city during the holiday.

It attracts many potential purchasers following the implementation of trade-in programs rolled out by China.

Major auto dealers at the show also provide trade-in and financing subsidies, enabling consumers to get a car at a more affordable price.

"China has launched subsidies for new energy vehicles trade-in, so I want to take this opportunity to replace my old car with a new one during the holiday," said Bao Haitao, a local resident.

In August, China has increased a financial stimulus to encourage consumers to scrap their old vehicles and buy new ones. Subsidies for trade-ins of new energy passenger vehicles have doubled to 20,000 yuan (around 2,841.8 U.S. dollars), according to the document released by the Ministry of Commerce and six other government departments in the country.

Vehicle trade-in spurs consumption in China during National Day holiday