Record-Breaking Travel Surge Ushers in Eco-Tourism Era
As China kicked off its five-day May Day holiday on May 1, 2026, the nation witnessed an unprecedented travel frenzy, with over 344 million inter-regional passenger trips recorded on the first day alone. This marked a staggering 4% increase from the previous year, pushing total cross-regional movements to an estimated 1.52 billion over the holiday period. Rail networks handled 158 million passengers, aviation saw 11 million trips, and highways peaked at 70 million vehicles daily. Amid this boom, sustainable travel emerged as the standout trend, particularly eco-tourism fueled by vast ecological restoration projects that have revitalized degraded lands into breathtaking destinations.
Platforms like Meituan reported a 140% surge in searches for May Day holiday travel, with bookings to third-tier and smaller cities—such as Liuzhou, Ganzhou, and Huzhou—jumping over 60% year-on-year. Niche experiences, including forest retreats, karst explorations, and grassland adventures, dominated preferences, reflecting a shift toward immersive, nature-centric vacations. This eco-tourism boom not only underscores China's commitment to green development but also highlights how rehabilitated landscapes are becoming economic powerhouses for rural communities.
China's Massive Ecological Restoration Push
Over the past decade, China has spearheaded one of the world's largest ecological restoration efforts, transforming barren, eroded, and polluted lands into thriving ecosystems. In 2025 alone, the country completed afforestation on 3.563 million hectares and restored 4.927 million hectares of degraded grasslands, elevating forest coverage to 25.09%. The forestry and grassland industry now generates nearly 11 trillion yuan annually, employing over 60 million people directly.
Projects like the Grain for Green Program on the Loess Plateau—once the most eroded region on Earth—have been pivotal. Spanning 640,000 square kilometers across Shaanxi, Gansu, and other provinces, this initiative terraced slopes, planted trees, and rebuilt watersheds, reversing desertification and boosting biodiversity. What was once a dusty wasteland now supports orchards, wildlife, and terraced farmlands, drawing visitors eager to witness this green miracle.
Similarly, abandoned mine sites, numbering in the thousands, have been rehabilitated nationwide. In Chongqing's Tongluo Mountain, a former gravel quarry has become a lush scenic area with hiking trails and cultural exhibits. Weihai's Huaxia City in Shandong turned an 18-year restoration project into a popular eco-park, blending history with nature.
Guizhou's Xiaoqikong: Karst Paradise from Restored Lands
🌿 In southwest Guizhou Province, the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area stands as a testament to successful land rehabilitation. Nestled within the South China Karst world heritage site, this 'Green Gem on Earth's Belt' features dramatic limestone peaks, crystal-clear waters, and restored wetlands. Once vulnerable to erosion and pollution, intensive greening efforts have revived its ecosystems, enabling activities like transparent-bottom boating, skywalks, and birdwatching.
During the 2025 May Day holiday, Xiaoqikong shattered records with over 70,000 visitors in a single day—a surge that extended average stays from 4.5 to seven hours, boosting local spending on lodging, food, and crafts. Local operators note that rehabilitated trails and bridges now support sustainable foot traffic, minimizing environmental strain while maximizing visitor satisfaction. Families and hikers flock here for the fresh air and immersive nature, contributing to Libo County's rural economy.
Heilongjiang's Yichun: The Forest Metropolis Awakens
Northeastern Heilongjiang Province's Yichun City, dubbed China's 'Forest Metropolis,' boasts 83.8% forest coverage over 4 million hectares of woodlands. Decades of reforestation have turned logged and degraded areas into dense, cool retreats ideal for summer escapes. 'Forest-based tourism' here includes eco-lodges, wildlife spotting, and therapeutic forest bathing.
The 2025 May Day period saw a 13.5% year-on-year visitor increase, with online tourism consumption skyrocketing 369.2%. Visitors engage in guided hikes through restored birch forests, berry picking, and cultural exchanges with local ethnic groups. This model exemplifies how rehabilitated lands fuel sustainable travel, providing jobs in guiding, hospitality, and product sales like wild honey and mushrooms.
Nearby Fuyuan offers complementary experiences with Hezhen ethnic fishing rituals and intangible heritage centers showcasing fish-skin art—blending restoration with cultural preservation.
Inner Mongolia's Hunshandake Sandland: Desert to Dynamic Destination
Spanning 32,600 square kilometers, the Hunshandake Sandland in Inner Mongolia has evolved from encroaching desert to a verdant off-road haven through afforestation and grassland restoration. Annual events like the sandland rally attract over 60,000 visitors, with 320 drivers from 23 provinces participating in 2026's May Day edition.
Over 2,000 herder households now run campsites and homestays, tripling incomes from traditional grazing. Guests enjoy dune bashing, stargazing, and tasting local sand hawthorn—experiences rooted in sustainable land management that prevent further desertification.
From Mines to Marvels: Rehabilitation Success Stories
China's mine rehabilitation program has repurposed hundreds of sites into eco-tourism gems. Huangyan Stone Caves, a 1,500-year-old quarry in Zhejiang, now draws 750,000 annual visitors for immersive shows amid restored cliffs. Chongqing's Zhonghua integrates agriculture, culture, and tourism in a former mining village.
These transformations involve soil stabilization, native planting, and trail development, turning liabilities into assets. Economic ripple effects include new revenue from entry fees, eateries, and crafts, supporting thousands of jobs.
- Tongluo Mountain, Chongqing: Hiking and cultural exhibits on a gravel quarry site.
- Huaxia City, Weihai: 18-year project yielding parks and adventure zones.
- Taobei Village, Jinan: Rubble-filled quarry now a green showcase with reservoirs and millions of trees.
Economic Ripple Effects and Community Gains
Eco-tourism from rehabilitated lands is a cornerstone of rural revitalization. Nineteen Chinese villages grace the UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages list, leveraging restored environments for authentic experiences. In Yichun and Libo, longer visitor stays amplify spending on local produce and services.
Nationwide, the sector contributes to the 11 trillion yuan forestry economy, with eco-destinations like Xiaoqikong generating millions in revenue. Herders in Hunshandake report tripled incomes, while mine sites foster integrated agri-tourism models. This shift reduces poverty, promotes green jobs, and balances conservation with prosperity. For more on these transformations, see detailed coverage from CGTN.
Policies Powering the Green Travel Wave
The 'Beautiful China' initiative, alongside the Culture and Tourism Consumption Week launched for 2026 May Day, underpins this boom. Over 13,700 activities were organized, distributing 284 million yuan in subsidies. Policies emphasize low-impact infrastructure, carrying capacity limits, and community involvement.
Ecological redlines protect core zones, while incentives fund restoration. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism promotes niche products, aligning with national carbon neutrality goals by 2060.
Navigating Challenges in Eco-Tourism Growth
Despite successes, challenges persist. Overcrowding at hotspots like Xiaoqikong risks trail erosion and wildlife disturbance. Solutions include timed tickets, eco-fees, and off-peak promotions. Climate change demands resilient planting, while equitable benefit-sharing ensures locals aren't displaced.
Monitoring via apps and drones helps enforce sustainability, as seen in Loess Plateau projects where community cooperatives manage tourism.
Future Horizons for China's Eco-Tourism
Looking ahead, experts predict continued growth, with eco-tourism comprising 20-30% of domestic travel by 2030. Expansions in marine restoration and urban green belts will diversify offerings. Digital tools like AR guides enhance low-impact exploration.
International visitors, buoyed by visa easing, will amplify demand. Success stories like the Loess Plateau inspire global models, positioning China as a sustainability leader. Learn more about the Loess Plateau's impact here.
Actionable Tips for Sustainable May Day Escapes
- Choose certified eco-sites with low visitor caps.
- Opt for public transport or carpooling to cut emissions.
- Support local by buying from cooperatives and staying in homestays.
- Follow Leave No Trace: pack out waste, stick to paths.
- Book off-peak for better experiences and less strain.
China's rehabilitated lands are not just scenic wonders—they're blueprints for harmonious growth, inviting travelers to explore responsibly during holidays like May Day.
