China's 2025 Spring Festival shattered historical benchmarks in mobility and consumer activity, with over 8.5 billion domestic trips recorded during the holiday period – a 12% increase from pre-UNESCO inscription levels. The festival, now officially recognized as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage, showcased a revitalized blend of tradition and modernity across the world's second-largest economy.
Key drivers included:
- A 22% surge in movie ticket sales for holiday releases
- Record-high mobile payment volumes totaling ¥1.8 trillion ($250 billion)
- Full bookings at smart tourism hubs featuring AR-enabled temple fairs
Analysts note the revival of \"homeland tourism\" trends, with 73% of travelers opting for domestic destinations offering immersive cultural experiences. Cross-regional collaboration also saw innovative exchanges, including a joint culinary livestream event connecting chefs in the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region.
This year's spending patterns highlight shifting priorities, with green travel packages and AI-powered travel concierge services capturing 40% of tourism-related investments. The Ministry of Culture reported over 120 million participations in digital heritage preservation initiatives during the festival.
Reference(s):
China's 2025 Spring Festival sees record-breaking travel, consumption
cgtn.com
