Chongqing - Chongqing solidified its position as one of China's top travel destinations during the 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival, attracting 7.77 million domestic visitors and generating 5.27 billion yuan (USD 739.8 million) in tourism revenue. 

Each visitor spent an average of 678.6 yuan, marking a 1.4% year-on-year growth in per capita spending. Chongqing also stood out regarding inbound tourism, with data from Ctrip revealing a 46% increase in international travel orders compared to the Dragon Boat Festival. Chongqing was named one of the top cities for international airport transfers alongside Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.

According to Ctrip's Mid-Autumn Festival tourism report released on September 17, Chongqing ranked among the top 10 most popular domestic destinations. Other cities in this top tier included Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. Popular tourist sites such as the Chongqing Zoo, Wulong Karst Scenic Area, and Fairy Mountain National Forest Park were some of the top attractions contributing to the city's high visitor numbers. Hotel bookings also surged, with data from Tongcheng Travel highlighting Chongqing as one of the cities with the highest hotel booking rates, alongside destinations like Chengdu, Beijing, and Shenzhen.

The rolling alpine meadows of Fairy Mountain in Chongqing offer a serene and picturesque escape into nature's tranquility. (Photo/Wulong District)

Nationwide, Chongqing's tourism performance reflected a broader trend of high demand for domestic travel during the Mid-Autumn holiday. While major cities across China welcomed millions of visitors, Chongqing distinguished itself not only through its volume of tourists but also through a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities that catered to both locals and tourists. The city's key tourist hotspots, including Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street and Hongyadong, were among the most visited sites, each drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Chongqing's iconic Hongyadong draws a multitude of visitors eager to capture its stunning vistas in photographs. (Photo/Yin Shiyu from Visual Chongqing)

Chongqing's appeal extended beyond traditional sightseeing. The city organized more than 90 cultural and heritage events, featuring over 200 intangible cultural heritage projects, which attracted over 400,000 participants. Popular events included moon-viewing boat tours, lantern displays, and performances of traditional Chinese arts. Museums across the city also played a key role, with the Three Gorges Museum alone welcoming over 25,000 visitors to its Mid-Autumn Festival-themed events.

The heaven for foodies in Jiefangbei (Photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

As Chongqing continues to grow as both a domestic and international tourist hub, the Mid-Autumn Festival once again demonstrated the city's capacity to draw large crowds with its unique blend of cultural experiences and natural beauty. With its strong holiday performance, Chongqing remains a key player in China's tourism sector, providing both traditional charm and modern attractions for travelers from around the world.