Pet-friendly scenarios are diversifying, making traveling with pets a new trend.

“The journey was incredibly heartwarming, and my bond with my kitten grew even stronger,” said a young traveler from Jiangxi who recently took a road trip to Yunnan with her pet cat. “It was the first time in her life she saw snow-capped mountains. Life is an open field—and so is a ‘cat’s life.'”

“Traveling with pets requires careful planning,” the traveler explained. Since October of last year, she has frequently taken her cat on trips, ensuring it undergoes socialization training to adapt to car rides and unfamiliar environments. She also trains her cat not to interfere with driving or crawl under the pedals, maintains a fixed feeding schedule, and places the litter box under the passenger seat for privacy and comfort.

Traveling with pets involves multiple aspects, including dining, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment. A “pet-friendly hotel” in Chongqing caters primarily to families with cats or dogs, with varying needs. Dog owners prioritize outdoor spaces and walking convenience, while cat owners prefer quiet environments and pet-sitting services. The hotel staff noted that professional cleaning teams perform deep sanitation after checkout, and pet activity areas are separated to avoid disturbing other guests.

Recent data shows that over 100 “pet-friendly hotels” listed on the 2025 “Must-Stay List” saw a nearly 30% increase in traffic in July. In popular summer destinations like Zhangjiakou, Anshun, Qingdao, and Yantai, traffic for such hotels surged by over 100%, while Chongqing saw a nearly 50% rise.

Beyond hotels, many homestays also promote “pet-friendly” services to attract guests. A “90s” entrepreneur in Chongqing runs a retro-themed pet-sitting homestay specializing in dogs, offering 10 rooms and over 1,000 square meters of outdoor play area. Three attendants provide round-the-clock care, and owners can monitor their pets via 24/7 surveillance.

“Each room has air conditioning and UV sterilization to ensure a clean, comfortable environment,” the owner said. The homestay is fully booked daily, with reservations extending over 20 days in advance, primarily by young travelers.

A pet-friendly restaurant in Chongqing where customers dine with their dogs.

At a pet-friendly fresh food restaurant in Chongqing, dogs enjoy meals similar to humans. The owner sources chicken, beef, and vegetables daily from local markets, preparing them in shapes like cakes and bento boxes. The restaurant serves around 30 dogs weekly, with nearly 70% of customers being young travelers, including visitors from Guizhou, Xi’an, and Beijing.

For transportation, several airlines now offer pet-check services, experimenting with “pet-friendly” options. Chongqing Airlines recently introduced an “In-Cabin Pets” service, allowing pets in the cabin under certain conditions and offering dedicated seating to meet travelers’ needs.

“As living standards rise and emotional needs evolve, pets are transitioning from ‘companions’ to ‘family members,'” noted a tourism expert. Many pet owners seek better living conditions and shared experiences, driving the diversification of pet-friendly environments.

“I once thought showing the world to my cat was my way of being romantic,” the traveler from Jiangxi reflected. “But watching her chase sunbeams in Yunnan’s Jingmai Mountain, I realized we were both borrowing each other’s eyes to collect the world’s tenderness.”

Jiangxi

Jiangxi is a province in southeastern China, known for its rich history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage. It was a significant center of ancient Chinese civilization and played a key role in the Communist Revolution, with landmarks like Jinggangshan, the “Cradle of the Chinese Revolution.” The province is also famous for its picturesque landscapes, including Mount Lu (Lushan) and Poyang Lake, as well as its porcelain production in Jingdezhen, the “Porcelain Capital” of China for over 1,000 years.

Yunnan

Yunnan is a diverse and culturally rich province in southwestern China, known for its stunning landscapes, ethnic diversity, and historical significance. It has been a crossroads of trade and culture for centuries, notably as part of the ancient Southern Silk Road and the Tea-Horse Road. Today, Yunnan is celebrated for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the old town of Lijiang and the Stone Forest, as well as its vibrant traditions of over 25 ethnic minority groups.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. With a history spanning over 3,000 years, it served as the wartime capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). Today, it is known for its mountainous terrain, spicy cuisine, and rapid modernization as a key economic hub.

Zhangjiakou

Zhangjiakou, a city in Hebei Province, China, is a historically significant location known as the “Northern Gate” of Beijing due to its strategic position along the Great Wall. It played a key role in ancient trade and defense, particularly during the Ming Dynasty. Today, Zhangjiakou gained international recognition as a co-host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics, showcasing its modern development and winter sports facilities.

Anshun

Anshun is a city in Guizhou Province, China, known for its stunning natural landscapes and rich ethnic culture. It is home to the Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of Asia’s largest waterfalls, and the Longgong Caves (Dragon Palace), a spectacular karst cave system. Historically, Anshun was an important military and trade hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties and remains a center of traditional Miao and Buyi minority cultures.

Qingdao

Qingdao is a coastal city in eastern China’s Shandong Province, known for its beaches, colonial architecture, and vibrant culture. It was a German concession from 1898 to 1914, leaving behind landmarks like the iconic red-roofed **Qingdao Protestant Church** and the **Zhanqiao Pier**. Today, Qingdao is famous for its annual beer festival, Tsingtao Brewery, and its mix of modern skyscrapers and historic European-style buildings.

Yantai

Yantai is a coastal city in Shandong Province, China, known for its beautiful beaches, colonial architecture, and rich history as a former treaty port. Established as a defense outpost during the Ming Dynasty, it later became a key trading hub in the 19th century under the name “Chefoo.” Today, Yantai is famous for its wine production, vibrant seafood culture, and as a popular summer destination.

Jingmai Mountain

Jingmai Mountain, located in Yunnan Province, China, is renowned for its ancient tea forests and the cultural heritage of the Bulang and Dai ethnic groups. With a history of tea cultivation spanning over 1,300 years, it is one of the oldest and best-preserved tea-growing regions in the world. In 2023, Jingmai Mountain’s cultural landscape was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its unique blend of biodiversity, traditional practices, and sustainable tea farming.