Particle.news
Download on the App Store

China Leans on Nine-Day Lunar New Year to Jump-Start Spending and Inbound Tourism

Officials are using the extended break to test whether coordinated consumption policies can offset weak retail demand.

Overview

  • A rare joint plan by nine central government departments seeks a nationwide “consumption feast” during February 15–23.
  • Authorities expect record holiday mobility, including about 110 million trips in and out of Beijing and roughly 9.5 billion nationwide.
  • The plan targets foreign tourists through added international flight capacity, easier use of foreign bank cards and payment apps, and multilingual cultural guides.
  • Holiday demand is shifting toward experiences as theme-park hotel bookings nearly doubled and trips for traditional performances and crafts rose about 40%, according to Fliggy.
  • Companies are expanding offline attractions — iQiyi opened a theme park in Yangzhou and Universal Studios Beijing is adding local IP — even as national retail growth slowed to 3.7% in 2025.