With China’s economy facing enormous challenges, there have been concerns about its growth potential, at least in the near term. However, a key exception appears in the form of domestic tourism.
Last week’s five-day Labor Day holiday saw 295 million trips to China, according to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This was 28% higher than the pre-pandemic figures recorded in 2019, it said BBC.
The Department for Transport figures are also staggering: 92 million rail journeys; nearly 10 million air trips and 1,25 billion highway trips.
However, this comes as international arrivals continue to lag, with foreigners currently entering China at barely 30% of 2019 levels. But why is there such a difference?
The beautiful historic river town of Wuzhen, a short drive from Shanghai, is considered one of China’s top visitor spots for travelers of all kinds. When you arrive, the small lanes and old bridges crossing the narrow waterways are full of visitors. A…