China's traveler hotspots are bustling this summer, driven by a nationwide campaign to boost consumer spending during peak travel season.
According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the nationwide summer tourism consumption campaign, which runs from July to August, will see local authorities across China allocating subsidies totaling 570 million yuan (approximately 80 million U.S. dollars) to boost cultural and tourism consumption.
More than 39,000 tourism events, ranging from coastal vacations, cultural performances and exhibitions to market fairs and family-friendly entertainment activities, will be held during the two months.
Shanghai, renowned for its modern charm and vibrant theme parks, has witnessed a surge in hotel bookings this month. Data from travel platforms reveals a 40 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
"Rooms for families and for two-bed [rooms] are almost fully booked through the end of July. The rooms are also 5-percent pricier amid the surging demand," said Jiao Yang, director of operations at a local hotel.
Since its launch in May, the grassroots Jiangsu Football City League, known as Suchao, has captured nationwide attention. Based in Jiangsu Province on China's eastern coast, the league features thrilling competitions between teams representing 13 prefecture-level cities, drawing enthusiastic sports fans from across the country.
For football fans traveling to Nanjing, the provincial capital, many local museums and other attractions are offering free entry, as part of the efforts to support Suchao.
"We are expecting a spike in footfalls for this weekend's football match. We believe the number of visitors will jump more than 120 percent from a year ago," said Dong Ting, director for Resort Management at the Nanjing Pearl Spring Scenic Area, a popular tourist resort in Nanjing.
While some flock to the heat of intense matches, others head to China's northeastern regions for cooler retreats.
Yanji, a vibrant city in Jilin Province known for its rich Korean ethnic heritage, is experiencing a booming summer tourism season, with camping-related businesses like gadget vendors, food stalls, and live performance organizers thriving to meet the surge in visitors.
"This is our third year visiting Yanji. Very nice camping culture, with packed schedules of live activities. We'll definitely be coming back," said Zhao Junyang, a camping enthusiast.
The summer holiday that spans July and August each year is a peak season for domestic tourism, especially among families with children. Data from online travel platforms showed that domestic trips during the summer will increase by at least 30 percent year on year.
Summer consumption promotion campaign sets off tourism boom across China
