Your travel guide for 2026 National Day holiday

The unique alignment of the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday has created an extended travel window, prompting a significant surge in both domestic and international bookings. Travelers are increasingly opting for longer-haul itineraries, such as extensive road trips across Xinjiang, rather than traditional short-term sightseeing. While major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu remain top destinations, there is a growing interest in niche locations like Xishuangbanna and Haikou, driven by a desire for deeper, experience-based cultural engagement. This shift is further amplified by social media content that emphasizes authentic local interactions over superficial checklist tourism. Additionally, China is experiencing a robust rise in inbound tourism, with millions of international visitors, particularly from Europe, exploring both mainstream and unconventional regions during this peak travel season.