China’s Golden Week holiday in October 2025 is shaping up to be one of the busiest in years, with outbound travel bookings soaring. Trip.com data shows triple-digit growth as millions plan extended trips overlapping with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
This year’s Golden Week overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival, giving many Chinese an extended 8-day break (and up to 12 days off if they tack on a few extra leave days) – essentially a “super holiday” that is fueling ambitious travel plans.
With travel restrictions fully lifted, Chinese tourists are eager to venture abroad, driving a sharp outbound travel boom that is expected to carry through the autumn season.
TL;DR – Golden Week 2025
- Outbound bookings up triple digits year-on-year.
- Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia lead destinations.
- Europe, Africa, and the Middle East also see record Chinese arrivals.
Jump to: Top Destinations • Global Hotspots • Early Bookings • Gen Z & Alternative Stays • Global Ripple Effects • FAQ
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Top Destinations and New Favorites
Top 10 Golden Week outbound city destinations by booking volume, according to Trip.com Group data (Osaka, Tokyo, and Seoul lead, with Asian hubs dominating).
Asia Leads with City Hubs and Island Escapes: Unsurprisingly, East Asia and Southeast Asia are the top choices for Chinese travelers this Golden Week.
Japan and South Korea remain the top outbound markets, with air ticket sales to those countries soaring year-on-year.
Rounding out the top five destinations are Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, underscoring Southeast Asia’s enduring appeal for Chinese tourists.
Major city hubs like Osaka, Tokyo, and Seoul are expected to see huge crowds of Chinese visitors , reflecting a continued enthusiasm for shopping, dining, and city sightseeing.
At the same time, many travelers are seeking more relaxed or nature-focused getaways beyond the big cities. Demand is rising sharply for islands and resort towns.
Beach destinations such as Cebu in the Philippines and Phu Quoc in Vietnam are among the fastest-growing picks, alongside Okinawa and Jeju Island in East Asia.
Even some less traditional spots like Nha Trang (Vietnam) and Perth (Australia) have seen a surge in interest.
Meanwhile, waterfront cities including Fukuoka, Sydney, and Macao are also climbing in popularity for their harbors, beaches, and parks.
This trend suggests that Chinese travelers are spreading out to “next-tier” destinations in search of new experiences, especially as famous hotspots become crowded.
Global Hotspots See Triple-Digit Growth
Top European destinations by year-on-year growth in Chinese bookings for Golden Week 2025 (Düsseldorf leads with +188%).
Cities like Copenhagen, Edinburgh, and Rome are also seeing a surge in Chinese visitors.
Chinese tourists aren’t limiting themselves to Asia – Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are also experiencing an influx.
In fact, many destinations across the globe are seeing double- and even triple-digit growth in Chinese visitor numbers this Golden Week.
For example, in Europe several cities have witnessed unprecedented surges: Düsseldorf, Germany tops the chart with a 188% year-on-year spike in bookings.
Other European cities posting standout gains include Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Geneva, Brussels, Oslo, Barcelona, Rome, and Nice – all reporting strong double-digit or better growth as Chinese travelers expand their European itineraries.
Beyond Europe, emerging locales in Africa and the Middle East are also drawing Chinese tourists at record rates.
In Africa, Johannesburg saw bookings jump 232% year-on-year , as it serves as a gateway for safari and cultural tours.
Traditional African draws like Cairo and even Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region (for those eyeing Mt. Kilimanjaro and Serengeti) are also on the rise.
The Middle East is a standout – Doha in Qatar logged a staggering 441% increase in Chinese bookings, and Abu Dhabi is up 229% as well. Even Riyadh in Saudi Arabia is attracting more interest, thanks to its mix of historical heritage and modern attractions.
These surges illustrate how Chinese holidaymakers in 2025 are venturing farther afield, boosting tourism in places that were once off the typical tour-group circuit.
Early Bookings and Super Holiday Planning
Another noticeable shift this year is how early Chinese travelers are planning their Golden Week trips. According to Trip.com data, people are booking further in advance – about one week earlier on average than last year’s lead times.
This suggests a more strategic approach to lock in flights and hotels before prices peak or inventories sell out. The long duration of the holiday break is a big factor: with many having 8–12 days off, travelers are booking complex, multi-stop itineraries and needed to secure those plans early.
Travel providers are also seeing a more value-conscious mindset – tourists are choosing destinations that offer a lot of activities or hotels with added services to maximize experience for the cost.
This reflects a growing preference for budget-friendly travel that still delivers meaningful leisure experiences , as families and young professionals alike look to make the most of their Golden Week without breaking the bank.
Notably, Chinese travel operators describe this Golden Week as a chance for “revenge travel” abroad after years of pandemic-related restrictions. Many travelers who explored domestic sites in past holidays are now taking their first big international trips in a long time, contributing to the rush.
The convergence of National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival has effectively super-sized the holiday, giving people the confidence to plan long-haul journeys to Europe, the Middle East, or Africa – trips that might not be feasible in a shorter break.
Gen Z and the Rise of Alternative Stays
A key trend in this outbound boom is a shift in where Chinese tourists are staying. Younger travelers, especially Gen Z, are driving a surge in alternative accommodations beyond the traditional hotel.
Hostels have seen bookings skyrocket by 240% as budget-conscious Gen Z backpackers embrace their affordability and social vibe. But it’s not just hostels – Chinese tourists are increasingly opting for homestays, serviced apartments, guesthouses, ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), and even private villas instead of big chain hotels.
All these non-hotel options have recorded strong growth in popularity during this Golden Week rush.
Overall, outbound lodging reservations of all kinds are up dramatically, with Trip.com reporting triple-digit growth in Golden Week accommodation bookings year-on-year.
This trend toward alternative stays shows a desire for more unique, authentic experiences – travelers might choose a cozy villa or local B&B to get a taste of local life, or a hostel for the chance to meet fellow travelers.
Gen Z in particular has been noted as a trendsetter here, often eschewing regimented tour packages in favor of independent travel with distinctive lodging and experiences.
Travel analysts say this diversification in accommodation reflects Chinese tourists’ growing appetite for variety and one-of-a-kind experiences over the cookie-cutter trips of the past.
Global Ripple Effects and Outlook
The wave of Chinese outbound travel this season is sending ripples across the global tourism industry. Airlines, hotels, and attractions in many countries are bracing for a surge of Chinese visitors and the significant spending they bring.
Carriers have added flights on popular routes, and hospitality providers have ramped up Chinese-language services and marketing. Even so, the Golden Week demand is so high that flights and hotels in top destinations are selling out fast, travel experts warn.
Industry advice for travelers has been to book Golden Week trips 2–3 months in advance if possible, since last-minute availability is scarce during this peak season. Those who didn’t plan ahead are finding limited flight seats and higher prices as the holiday nears.
There is also a spillover effect benefiting lesser-known destinations. When famous tourist spots fill up or become too pricey, Chinese travelers are redistributing to “next-tier” locales.
For instance, instead of only visiting well-trodden cities like Bangkok or Paris, many are trying out alternatives – heading to coastal towns in Vietnam and the Philippines or secondary European cities – for a fresh experience.
This helps spread tourist dollars more widely. Destinations that were previously under the radar for Chinese tourists are seizing the opportunity with targeted promotions and by highlighting niche attractions (from beer culture in Düsseldorf to wildlife safaris starting in Johannesburg).
Meanwhile, the boom in outbound travel comes as a contrast to the patterns of recent years, when domestic tourism in China was dominant. Domestic Golden Week travel is still expected to be massive – hundreds of millions of trips to Chinese scenic spots and hometowns – but now a significant portion of Chinese holidaymakers are heading overseas, redirecting some spending abroad.
The regional tourism flows are becoming a two-way street: thanks to overlapping autumn holidays, China is also welcoming inbound tourists from neighboring countries at the same time.
For example, Japan’s Silver Week and Korea’s Chuseok fall around Golden Week, and many Japanese and Korean travelers are taking the opportunity to visit Chinese cities. Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Dalian, Qingdao, and Tianjin rank among the top choices for those inbound visitors , showing that China’s major cities remain highly attractive.
Even some smaller Chinese destinations like Dali and Zhangjiajie have reported rising arrivals from abroad, indicating a broader distribution of tourists in the region.
Travel experts note that Golden Week 2025 is reinforcing China’s role as a leading outbound tourism source, and its effects are reshaping travel patterns across Asia and beyond. The early data from this holiday suggests that China’s outbound tourism recovery is not only in full swing, but might be entering a new phase – one defined by more diverse destinations, longer trips planned well in advance, and a traveler demographic that skews younger and more adventurous.
All of this bodes well for global tourism players in the coming years, as the world welcomes back the Chinese traveler – eager to explore and making their presence felt in destinations worldwide.
FAQ
Which destinations are most popular for Golden Week 2025?
Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore lead the list.
Are Chinese travelers going beyond Asia?
Yes. Europe, Africa, and the Middle East are all reporting record surges in Chinese visitors.
Why is this Golden Week different?
It overlaps with the Mid-Autumn Festival, giving many Chinese up to 12 days off, fueling long-haul trips.
What travel trends stand out?
Gen Z tourists are driving a surge in hostels and alternative stays, while families plan multi-stop itineraries early.
Sources: Chinese travel industry data and reports , Trip.com Group press release and analysis , TravelDailyNews Asia report.