Chinese tourism ministry reports 126 million travelled for this year’s Qingming Festival

China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism reports that 126 million citizens travelled during the three-day Qingming Festival which began on 4th April.

According to data gathered, people took the long weekend not only to pay respect to deceased loved ones, but to enjoy the refreshing spring weather before Labour Day when some places grow too warm for comfort.

Qingming traveller numbers were up 6.3 percent year-on-year, while tourist spending hit US$7.9 billion, rising by around 6.7 percent.

Where people went for the holiday

The ministry report also showed that Shanghai and neighbouring areas within the Yangtze Delta were among the hottest destinations for this year. 

Surprisingly, winter favourite Harbin also saw significant crowds for the Qingming holiday.

The National Immigration Administration also pointed out that 6.21 million people entered and/or exited China throughout the holiday, marking an increase of 19.7 percent from last year.

Authorities note that the Chinese travel sector remains robust for the second holiday of the year, particularly among older generations and those with families.

Millennial and Gen Z singles, however, opted to head overseas for the holiday, particularly to Japan for cherry blossom season, and to visa-free Jeju Island in South Korea whose popularity has soared thanks to the K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines.