Summer travel hits new highs

This summer saw strong demand across flight, hotel, car rental, and overseas experience bookings, according to a report released by Chinese online travel agency Fliggy on Tuesday.

Average order value on the platform rose by 9.9 percent year-on-year, reflecting a growing preference for high-quality travel. Increased bookings among students and families boosted cultural and entertainment experiences.

Long-haul trips gained popularity, with Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Yunnan, and Liaoning among the fastest-growing destinations. Top 10 popular domestic destinations this summer are Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Nanjing, Xi'an, and Wuhan.

Concert and exhibition spurred local tourism, increasing searches for hotels and attractions near event venues. Theme parks remained a top choice for parents traveling with children, while ancient towns and cultural attractions also drew significant visitors. Popular experiences included wearing traditional hanfu for photos, night tours, and fireworks shows.

Outbound travel also flourished, with Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand leading, while long-haul destinations like Iceland, Austria, Switzerland, Tanzania, and Greece each saw over 50 percent growth year-on-year.