After the National Day holiday ended, airfares on most routes dropped significantly, and discounts on accommodation in major tourist destinations began to increase, boosting "off-peak travel" and keeping China's domestic tourism market lively.

Big discounts keep the domestic tourism market buzzing

In golden October, the tourism market is rolling out a "high value for money" package. Data from online travel platforms show that, so far, the average payment price for flights to popular cities has fallen by more than 30% compared with the National Day holiday. Departing from major source markets such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, many flights on routes that were popular during the holiday have dropped to the 200 to 300 yuan range. Flight bookings for mid-to-late October through November have risen markedly as a result. At Kanbula World Geopark in Qinghai, the clear emerald waters of the Yellow River contrast with the crimson Danxia landforms, allowing visitors to slow down and immersively take in nature's uncanny workmanship. Tourist Meng Gang said: "It feels like we have the whole Danxia landscape to ourselves. We can fully enjoy the autumn colors. Kanbula's autumn scenery is truly beautiful and stunning!"

Tianjin: new scenes unleash vitality as the culture and tourism market runs hot

In Tianjin, check-in spots such as distinctive towns and cultural and creative parks continue to roll out different activities and experience programs. A tourist said: "There are not as many people as during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival period, and immersive scenes like this require us to savor them slowly and feel them gradually to appreciate their charm."

Anhui: bamboo rafts pass through the forest like a painting, with different views by day and night

In Xixinan Village, Xixinan Town, Huangshan, Anhui, riding a bamboo raft through thousands of acres of maple-poplar forest offers a different scenery whether by day or by night. Tourist Ye Xiaohong said: "I feel it is green mountains and clear waters, with gentle ripples, making people feel very comfortable and peaceful." As night falls, bamboo rafts hung with fish lanterns move slowly forward. In the eyes of ancient Huizhou people, fish lanterns represent abundance year after year and peace and prosperity. Where the rafts pass, molten-iron fireworks put on a stunning show, and in the middle of the river channel, a water-screen light and shadow show is staged at the same time. The rich lineup of programs extends visitors' stay and activates rural culture and tourism consumption.

Quzhou, Zhejiang: benefit policies continue to be released, letting people enjoy golden autumn scenery

Since the Hangzhou-Quzhou high-speed railway opened last year, from October 8 to October 31 each year, Quzhou in Zhejiang has rolled out culture and tourism benefits, including free admission for Hangzhou residents to 14 scenic areas in Quzhou such as Lanke Mountain and Longyou Grottoes. Many people choose to travel off-peak during this period to enjoy the golden autumn scenery. Tourist Liu Yinyan said: "Traveling during holidays feels too crowded. At every scenic spot it feels like a quick glance, and you do not even need to walk because the crowd pushes you along. Now it is very leisurely."

Shanghai: checking in on China's smart manufacturing, tech tourism becomes a new hotspot for inbound travel

During this period, as inbound tourism continues to heat up, the travel needs of foreign tourists visiting China have changed significantly. In a robot experience store in the Nanjing West Road business district of Shanghai, a robot dog completes a series of movements such as walking, jumping and flipping. Many foreign tourists gather around, personally operate the devices, and immersively experience the novel experience brought by humanoid robot technology. A tourist said: "I have seen it in a science program video, but I had not seen a robot dog before, nor a robot. I know robot dogs can open doors and complete daily tasks. This robot looks really cool and moves like a real person." The store officially opened in June this year, and in less than half a year since opening it has received more than 1,000 overseas tourists. Many overseas tour groups list it as a must-visit stop on a Shanghai trip, and many tourists come to visit and experience it after learning about it through overseas social platforms. Xiang Guanghu, head of the robot experience store, said: "Our foreign visitor flow can account for more than 50%, and this place is also like a check-in spot for them."

Taizhou, Jiangsu: enjoy morning tea off-peak and encounter autumn pastoral scenery

In Taizhou, Jiangsu, eating morning tea is a scene seen everywhere. After the National Day holiday, morning tea shops in Taizhou remain popular, and many tourists choose to travel off-peak, making special trips from other places to check in, taste specialty foods, and then go to nearby flower fields to experience autumn time. Early in the morning, long lines form outside many morning tea shops in Taizhou, Jiangsu, and the stores are packed. Freshly made boiled dried shredded tofu, crab roe soup dumplings and other classic foods leave visitors satisfied and wanting more. Tourist Chen Fei said: "I had already come to Taizhou once to eat morning tea. These two younger sisters of mine had not been here to eat, so I brought them. The taste is still pretty good. We deliberately came off-peak after the National Day holiday." In addition to enjoying morning tea inside the shops, visitors can also sit outdoors by the river, enjoying the scenery while tasting the food. In recent years, by improving supporting facilities and integrating culture and tourism, the local area has continued to build the "Taizhou morning tea" brand, making it an important calling card for urban consumption. Zhu Qirong, assistant researcher at the Culture Institute of the Taizhou Branch of the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, said: "On the one hand, we should optimize the supporting facilities of morning tea shops and ease problems such as queues during peak periods. On the other hand, we should regularly develop culture and tourism routes and develop derivative products such as morning tea souvenirs." After tasting morning tea, visitors can also step out of the shops and stroll in nearby fields and flower seas. In Huagang Town, Hailing District, more than 1 million sunflowers are blooming in competition, outlining a uniquely romantic autumn scene. Tourist Xu Lijuan said: "I heard long ago that the scenery here is very beautiful, so I wanted to avoid the National Day peak and come here to take photos, shoot videos and enjoy the beautiful scenery."