May Day Holiday: Chinese Travelers Shift from "Special Forces-style" Trips to Immersive Experiences

As the May Day holiday approaches, many Chinese people are planning their trips. Beyond the growth of travel data, a more notable trend is the changing logic of travel—an increasing number of travelers are moving away from the "Special Forces-style" rush and embracing immersive experiences, redefining the meaning of travel through their actions.

Short-distance cross-border travel has emerged as a new favorite, offering travelers novel transnational experiences. During the 2026 May Day holiday, the popularity of short-distance cross-border tours has soared, with charming small cities attracting numerous foreign visitors. In Daxin County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the China-Vietnam Detian (Banyue) Waterfall Cross-border Tourism Cooperation Zone—the first operational cross-border tourism cooperation zone in China—has made "one ticket for two countries" a reality.

Jointly built by China and Vietnam, each designating 2 square kilometers, the zone officially started operations in October 2024. Tourists only need to carry their ID cards to complete cross-border travel procedures in a "one-stop" manner. Xinhua News Agency reported that since the zone’s launch, border inspection authorities have handled more than 120,000 cross-border tourist inspections, with innovative measures such as "three exemptions" and online joint review enabling seamless travel experiences.

Featured rural tourism is also a popular choice for many. As one of the largest wild firefly watching spots in southwest China, Qingshen County, Meishan City, Sichuan Province, attracts tourists from across the country. As night falls, thousands of fireflies dance in the Zhongyan Temple firefly watching area, like stars dotting the forest, creating a magical and immersive scene.

Immersive experience tours are injecting new vitality into cultural and tourism development across various regions. Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County in Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, borders Vietnam and Laos and is an important station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Ahead of the May Day holiday, the local government has released 600 kilograms of live fish into ponds, allowing tourists to catch fish with their hands, enjoying the joy of the moment without pursuing speed or quantity.

RV camping has also become a hot spot for the May Day holiday. In Qingsongling Forest Park, Donghai County, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, relying on its ecological advantage of over 80% forest coverage, the local area has created an immersive leisure experience around "RV + slow life". CNR reported that during the May Day holiday, the booking rate of RV camping areas here has been rising steadily, with some time slots nearly fully booked.

These diverse travel choices reflect the shifting demands of Chinese travelers, who are now more focused on emotional connection and in-depth experience rather than just visiting scenic spots. From cross-border tours to rural getaways, from interactive experiences to slow camping, the May Day holiday travel market is presenting a more diverse and high-quality picture, boosting the high-quality development of China’s cultural and tourism industry.