Tourists visit the Hongyadong scenic spot at night in Chongqing, southwest China, August 23, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua)

Chongqing - Chongqing has ranked among the top 10 travel destinations this summer, according to the leading online travel services platform Fliggy's 2025 Summer Travel Report, released on August 26.

The report shows strong summer travel demand, with average order prices up 9.9% compared with last year. Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Nanjing, Xi'an, and Wuhan topped the list of most-visited destinations.

Despite summer vacation nearing its end, popular sites like Meixin Wine Town in Fuling District, Chongqing, continue to attract tourists with water attractions, ranging from large surf zones and aerial transparent pools to nighttime water-and-light parties.

An increase in family and student travelers is boosting demand for cultural and entertainment experiences, with theme parks remaining a favorite. Fliggy data shows Shanghai Disney Resort, Universal Beijing Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Legoland Shanghai Resort, and other parks under brands like Chimelong, Fantawild, and Haichang Ocean Park have attracted substantial visitor numbers. Creative experiences, including interactions with costumed characters and immersive events, have also driven increased interest.

Student travel continues to grow, though "special forces-style" trips—marked by visiting numerous attractions quickly and on a tight budget—have declined. Higher-quality, more immersive trips are increasingly popular among college students, with order prices up 15.1% year-on-year.

Ancient towns and cultural sites are also trending. Popular destinations include Zhejiang's Puyuan Fashion Ancient Town, which gained fame through trendy events, Guangdong's Chikan Ancient Town, and Guizhou's Wujiangzhai International Tourism Resort. These are known for their unique performances and spectacular night views, with order volumes doubling from last year. Night tours, fireworks, and traditional-style photography remain key attractions.

Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand lead outbound travel, while long-haul destinations like Iceland, Austria, Switzerland, Tanzania, and Greece have seen year-on-year growth of over 50%.

Fliggy's AI travel planner, launched in April, opened to users at the start of the summer. The data shows that more and more travelers are using AI to plan their trips, with many booking and traveling directly based on its recommendations.

As students return to school and summer nears its end, off-peak destinations with fewer crowds and lower prices are attracting attention. Recent Fliggy data shows that airfares from Hangzhou to Xishuangbanna, Sanya, and Aksu, from Chongqing to Lanzhou, Kunming, and Guilin, and from Guangzhou to Shanghai, Wuhan, and Nanning have dropped by more than 50%, while hotel prices have also fallen sharply, making it a good time for last-minute summer trips.