According to reports from China National Radio, data from the Ministry of Transport shows that during the first half of the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period, cross-regional population movement reached a record high of approximately 1.243 billion trips, with a daily average exceeding 310 million trips, demonstrating strong travel activity.

During the first half of the holiday period, passenger volumes across all transportation modes including railways, highways, waterways, and civil aviation showed year-over-year growth, with overall passenger transportation maintaining stable and positive trends. From a regional perspective, first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, along with popular tourist destinations like Chengdu and Xi’an, were the preferred travel destinations during the holiday period.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over three millennia, and it served as the imperial capital for several dynasties, including the Ming and Qing. The city is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, exemplified by iconic sites such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and a section of the Great Wall. Today, it stands as a major global city, blending ancient traditions with modern development.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global financial hub and China’s largest city, located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River. It grew from a minor fishing village into a significant port after being forced open to foreign trade by the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, leading to an era of international concessions. Today, it is famous for its iconic skyline, featuring landmarks like the Bund and the skyscrapers of Pudong, which symbolize its rapid modern development.

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 trade for centuries. Today, it is a modern metropolis famous for its Cantonese cuisine and hosting the iconic Canton Fair.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major modern city in Guangdong Province, China, which transformed from a small fishing village into a global technology hub. This rapid development began in 1980 when it was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone, pioneering the country’s economic reforms. Today, it is famous for its skyscrapers, innovation, and being home to numerous tech giants.

Chengdu

Chengdu is the capital of China’s Sichuan province, a major city with a history dating back over 4,000 years when it was the capital of the ancient Shu Kingdom. It is famously home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and is renowned globally for its vibrant food culture, particularly its spicy Sichuan cuisine. The city also boasts significant historical sites like the Jinli Ancient Street and the Wuhou Shrine, which commemorate its rich Three Kingdoms-era history.

Xi’an

Xi’an is one of China’s oldest cities, serving as the capital for multiple major dynasties including the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. It is famously the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road and is globally renowned for the Terracotta Army, the buried funerary sculptures of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Today, it stands as a major cultural and historical hub, blending ancient city walls and pagodas with modern urban development.