Chongqing—Chongqing wrapped up the 2026 summer travel season with robust performance across both domestic and international tourism metrics, according to data released by travel platform Qunar on August 31.
A tourist from Kazakhstan takes photos of Liziba Station on the Chongqing Rail Transit in Yuzhong District, southwest China, on October 3, 2025. (Photo/Huang Wei, Xinhua)
Domestic Market: Steady in the Top Tier
Chongqing ranked 10th nationwide in hotel occupancy during the summer months, joining Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Guiyang, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Shenzhen in the top 10. The southwestern metropolis was one of only two western Chinese cities to make the list.
Cool-weather destinations emerged as a dominant trend. Flight bookings to cities including Lishui (Zhejiang), Bijie (Guizhou), Liupanshui (Guizhou), Delingha (Qinghai), and Datong (Shanxi) all surged by more than 80 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, "county-level tourism" continued to gain momentum, with Pingtan (Fujian), Yangshuo (Guangxi), Antu (Jilin), Xinyuan (Xinjiang), Jiuzhaigou (Sichuan), Libo (Guizhou), Leishan (Guizhou), Tekes (Xinjiang), Anji (Zhejiang), and Zhaosu (Xinjiang) ranking as the top 10 most popular county-level destinations.
First-time flyers also showed a growing preference for smaller cities: travelers whose "first-ever flight" landed at third-tier or below airports increased by 26 percent year-on-year, outpacing growth in major metropolitan areas.
Inbound Tourism: Cracking the Top 20
Chongqing ranked among China's top 20 summer destinations for inbound travelers, alongside Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Xiamen, Haikou, Shenyang, Kunming, Fuzhou, Nanjing, Dalian, Harbin, Xi'an, Wuhan, Tianjin, and Urumqi.
Data from the Chongqing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection showed that as of August 16, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport had processed over 2 million inbound and outbound passenger trips this year, reaching the milestone 75 days earlier than last year and marking a 35.4 percent year-on-year increase. Among them, foreign traveler entries exceeded 716,000, up 86.1 percent. Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore ranked as the top three source countries for international visitors to Chongqing.
By source market, travelers from Malaysia, the United States, Mongolia, Indonesia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Singapore, and Kazakhstan led the pack. Swedish visitor numbers surged more than fourfold, while Greek and Chilean visitors more than doubled.
"Water Hotpot" Goes Viral, Puts Chongqing in Global Spotlight
Beyond the numbers, Chongqing captured international attention this summer with a novel tourism gimmick: "water hotpot" at the Meixin Wine Town water park in Fuling District. The attraction set up custom hotpot tables partially submerged in a "lazy river" area, allowing diners to cool off in waist-deep water while enjoying bubbling spicy hotpot, a playful twist on the city's signature cuisine.
The concept went viral on Chinese social media and was picked up by more than 40 overseas media outlets, including the Associated Press and Reuters. International netizens reacted with enthusiasm, with comments such as "Whoever came up with this is a genius" and "It looks so mouthwatering - I want to fly to Chongqing right now".
September: A "Golden Deal-Hunting" Window
Airfares this summer defied the usual "expensive holiday" pattern. In early to mid-July, prices were nearly 20 percent lower than the same period last year due to a later school start and earlier flight scheduling.
As of early September, significant discounts remain available for travelers looking to extend the summer. Sample one-way fares from Chongqing include: Xishuangbanna from 200 yuan (approx. $29.50), Dali from 200 yuan, Xi'an from 300 yuan (approx. $44.20), Hangzhou from 300 yuan, Xiamen from 340 yuan (approx. $50.10), Beijing from 350 yuan (approx. $51.60), Changzhi from 350 yuan, Sanya from 400 yuan (approx. $59.00), and Urumqi from 450 yuan (approx. $66.40). All fares are subject to availability.