"Golden Week" Drives 4.4 Million Chinese Abroad with Thailand in the Lead
China recorded 4.4 million outbound trips during "Golden Week," a 9.3% year-on-year increase, with Thailand topping destinations with 133,946 Chinese visitors, up 41.98%.
China's National Immigration Administration recorded 4.4 million outbound trips from the mainland during the "Golden Week" holiday, up 9.3% year-on-year, according to China Daily.
Thailand welcomed 522,532 foreign visitors between September 27 and October 3, an 8.24% week-on-week increase, with China being the largest source of visitors at 133,946 arrivals, up 41.98%.
Japan dropped off the list of top destinations for Chinese travelers, while Europe's share reached approximately 1.5 times its usual level.
In Australia, the state of New South Wales recorded 4.1 million international visitors in the year ending June 2026, up 5.8%, with spending rising 14.5% to AUD 15.1 billion.
What do these terms mean?
Golden Week: A long official holiday in China coinciding with National Day, witnessing the peak of domestic and outbound travel each year.
Year-on-year: Comparing a figure to a similar period from the previous year instead of the preceding month, to avoid the effect of seasonality.
Top destination: The country or city that ranks highest in the preferences of travelers from a specific market.
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