Chongqing - The city appeared on several top 10 travel lists released by major Chinese online travel platforms on Oct. 7. Figures from Chongqing's culture and tourism commission also showed that the city's monitored A-rated tourist attractions recorded 9.1 million visits during the National Day holiday, while inbound overnight visitors rose 34.4% year on year.
Crowds and traffic fill the Guanyinqiao commercial district in Chongqing during the National Day holiday. (Photo: Shangyou News)
According to Qunar, Chongqing ranked fifth nationwide for hotel bookings during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, behind Beijing, Chengdu, Nanjing, and Shanghai. Tongcheng Travel also placed Chongqing among its top 10 destinations for overnight travel, while Fliggy included the city in its list of China's 10 most popular domestic travel destinations.
This year, just three working days separated the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, allowing travelers who took those days off to enjoy a 13-day break. Tongcheng Travel reported growing demand for longer trips, with Chongqing among the leading cities for overnight stays.
During the seven-day National Day holiday, from Oct. 1 to 7, Hongyadong Folk Customs Area, Ciqikou Ancient Town, and Wulong Karst Tourism Area were the three most visited sites among the city's monitored A-rated tourist attractions, according to the commission.
Hongyadong Folk Customs Area lights up the night along the Jialing River in Chongqing during the National Day holiday, with sightseeing boats cruising past. (Photo: Shangyou News)
Historic neighborhoods were another popular choice. Ten monitored tourism and leisure districts across Chongqing recorded 3.41 million visits, with Shibati Traditional Block, Danzishi Old Street, and Longmenhao Old Street attracting the largest crowds. Alongside their distinctive architecture and hillside streets, these areas offer visitors places to eat, shop, and experience local culture.
Overnight tourism also saw strong demand. The culture and tourism commission reported 3.66 million overnight visitor arrivals during the holiday, including 23,579 from outside the Chinese mainland, up 34.4% from a year earlier.
International passenger traffic also increased at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. According to the Chongqing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, inbound and outbound passenger trips rose 15.1% year on year from Oct. 1 to 5. Arrivals of foreign travelers under visa-free policies, including the 240-hour transit policy, rose 36.3%. South Korean, Thai, and Singaporean travelers made up the three largest groups of foreign arrivals at the airport.
Chongqing's cultural heritage sites also drew international visitors. On Oct. 3, a 145-member tour group from the United States visited the Baoding Mountain site of the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its centuries-old Buddhist sculptures. The group toured the rock carvings, including the Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue. A local travel agency said it had also welcomed a growing number of tour groups from countries including Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam this year.
Foreign tourists take photos at the UNESCO-listed Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing. (Photo: Li Dong and Mao Shuang from Chongqing Daily)
Tourism was also an important part of holiday spending. According to the culture and tourism commission, spending on culture and tourism accounted for 26.13% of Chongqing's total consumption during the break. Data from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce showed that sales at 20 major shopping districts in central Chongqing rose 6.9% year on year, while average daily foot traffic increased 5.3%. Service-sector sales grew 5.2%, including a 5% rise in food and beverage services.
Nighttime activities remained a major part of Chongqing's holiday experience. Nighttime attractions included Chongqing's Two Rivers Cruise, drone light shows, evening performances, and shopping and dining districts. According to the commerce commission, nighttime spending rose 5.4% year on year and accounted for 52.9% of the city's total consumption during the holiday.
Visitors enjoy an evening sightseeing cruise aboard a Two Rivers Cruise boat in Chongqing. (Photo: Shangyou News)
Food and cultural events added to the holiday lineup. The 18th China (Chongqing) Hotpot Food and Culture Carnival opened on Sept. 29, with more than 3,000 hotpot restaurants across the city taking part in promotional activities. During the holiday, museums across Chongqing hosted 103 special exhibitions and 220 cultural activities, recording more than 2.01 million visits, according to the city's culture and tourism commission.
The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce said more than 500 consumer promotion events were held across the city during the holiday. Consumer vouchers worth more than 40 million yuan were also distributed for spending on dining, shopping, accommodation, and other services.