During this year’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, “ordering takeout to sample specialty foods” has become a new travel trend, with both “takeout” and “dine-in” options driving strong holiday dining consumption.
Data shows that during the first two days of the holiday, “quality takeout” traffic from non-local users increased by 110% compared to the previous month. High-rated dine-in restaurants saw their takeout orders increase by over 50% year-on-year. Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Changsha, Suzhou, and Chongqing became the top 10 popular destination cities for “takeout culinary tours,” while Nanchang, Foshan, Zhuhai, Shantou, Sanya, Yangzhou, Jingdezhen, Zhongshan, Yiwu, and Quanzhou became the top 10 trending hidden gem cities.
“Ordering takeout to sample specialty foods” has become a new National Day travel trend
During the first two days of the holiday, tourists showed great enthusiasm for exploring local flavors, with long queues forming outside many popular restaurants. Data shows that on October 1st, traffic for popular restaurant lists increased nearly two-fold compared to the previous month. Traffic for small establishments on these lists increased over 125%, with orders rising over 178%. Traffic for established restaurants on these lists increased over 130%, with orders rising over 190%.
Faced with crowded physical locations, many tourists shared new strategies for holiday “culinary tours”: when wanting to sample local specialty restaurants without waiting in line, they can place orders through “quality takeout” promotions.
To help tourists sample high-rated local dine-in restaurants without queuing, at more affordable prices and faster speeds, a “quality takeout guarantee program” was launched before the holiday. This initiative partners with over a million high-rated dine-in merchants to distribute 50 million “quality dine-in takeout coupons” to users, while simultaneously launching upgraded “one-to-one express delivery” services. The program currently covers over 1,400 popular restaurants, nearly 30 premium dining establishments, and approximately 1,500 high-star hotel restaurants.
National Day
“National Day” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a holiday commemorating a nation’s independence, founding, or a significant historical event. For example, France’s Bastille Day (July 14) marks the start of the French Revolution, while the United States’ Independence Day (July 4) celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. These days are typically observed with patriotic celebrations, such as parades, fireworks, and public ceremonies.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a major harvest celebration with roots in China’s ancient moon worship traditions during the Shang Dynasty. It is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month to give thanks for the harvest and symbolizes family reunion. The festival is widely celebrated by gathering with loved ones, eating mooncakes, and admiring the full moon.
Shanghai
Shanghai is a major global financial hub and the largest city in China, located on the country’s eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Historically a fishing and textiles town, it grew into a significant port following the 1842 Treaty of Nanking and later became a cosmopolitan center of commerce and culture in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, it is renowned for its striking modern skyline, exemplified by the Pudong district, alongside historic areas like the Bund.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a major port city in southern China that has served as a vital trading hub for over two millennia. Historically known as Canton, it was a key starting point of the Maritime Silk Road and the only Chinese port open to foreign traders for centuries. Today, it is a modern metropolis famous for its Cantonese cuisine and the iconic Canton Tower.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over three millennia. It served as the capital for several dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it stands as a major global city, blending ancient imperial architecture with modern skyscrapers.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a historic city in eastern China, renowned for its scenic West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It served as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and has been celebrated for centuries as a center of art, poetry, and classical gardens.
Nanjing
Nanjing is a historic city in eastern China that served as the capital for several dynasties, most notably during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century. It is home to significant cultural sites like the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the ancient city wall, and it was also the site of the Republic of China’s capital before 1949. The city is remembered for its profound historical legacy, including the tragic Nanjing Massacre during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major modern city in Guangdong Province, China, located immediately north of Hong Kong. It was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980, transforming from a small fishing village into a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and finance. This rapid development has made it a symbol of China’s economic reform and opening-up policy.
