China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period in China witnessed an unprecedented surge in cross-regional mobility and tourism expenditure, setting new historical records.
 According to official data from the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the total volume of cross-regional population movement reached a staggering 2.433 billion between October 1st and October 8th. This surge was complemented by a robust domestic tourism market, which saw 888 million travelers generating over 809 billion yuan in revenue, signaling a powerful rebound and vibrant consumer confidence in the post-pandemic era.
Unpacking the 2025 Golden Week Figures
The extended 8-day holiday, combining China National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, created a perfect storm for travel and domestic consumption. The figures released by Chinese authorities provide a comprehensive look into the scale and economic impact of this period.
1. Record-Shattering Transportation Volume
The most striking statistic from the holiday period was the sheer volume of people on the move.
- Total Cross-Regional Movement:Â 2.433 billion. This figure represents the cumulative number of trips taken across different regions of China, encompassing various modes of transport such as road, rail, air, and water.
- Daily Average: 304 million people traveling per day. This daily average underscores the massive, sustained logistical operation required to manage the holiday rush and establishes a new historic high for the period.
This record indicates a full recovery and even an overshoot of pre-pandemic travel enthusiasm, reflecting the public’s strong desire to travel and reunite with families after periods of restriction.
2. A Resurgent Domestic Tourism Market
The tourism sector experienced a significant upswing, with both the number of travelers and total spending showing remarkable growth compared to the previous year.
- Domestic Tourist Trips: 888 million (88.8 crores). This represents an increase of 12.3 million compared to the 7-day National Day holiday period in 2024.
- Domestic Tourism Revenue: Over 809 billion yuan. This figure marks a substantial year-on-year increase of approximately 108.2 billion yuan from the 2024 holiday period.
The growth in spending (108.2 billion yuan) outpacing the growth in traveler numbers (12.3 million) suggests a higher per-capita expenditure, pointing towards a qualitative improvement in travel experiences and stronger consumer purchasing power.
3. Government-Led Initiatives Fueling Cultural Consumption
A key driver behind this booming activity was a coordinated national effort to stimulate the cultural and tourism markets. Authorities across various provinces and cities implemented a multi-pronged strategy:
- Diverse Offerings:Â A wide array of new cultural and tourism products, services, and activities were launched to attract visitors and cater to diverse interests.
- Market Stability:Â The markets were reported to have operated in a “stable, active, and planned” manner, indicating successful management and coordination to handle the massive influx.
- Direct Subsidies: A significant catalyst was the distribution of consumer subsidies. Nationwide, over 29,000 cultural and tourism events were organized, through which more than 48 million yuan in consumption subsidies were provided directly to the public. This initiative effectively lowered the cost of travel and entertainment, incentivizing participation and spending.
Analysis and Implications
The record-breaking data from the 2025 Golden Week holiday offers several key insights:
Logistical Achievement:Â Managing a movement of over 2.4 billion trips without major reported disruptions is a testament to the capacity and efficiency of China’s transportation infrastructure.
Pent-up Demand Released:Â The extended holiday served as a primary outlet for accumulated demand for travel and family reunions.
Economic Vitality:Â The massive tourism revenue is a strong indicator of resilient domestic consumption, which remains a critical pillar of China’s economic growth.
Effective Policy Measures:Â The success of the subsidy programs and the organized execution of thousands of events demonstrate the effectiveness of government stimulus in activating the cultural and tourism sectors.