Shanghai welcomes 25.5m visitors over 8-day holiday

Shanghai received 25.485 million tourists during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, up 19.7 percent year-over-year.

The average hotel occupancy rate reached 63.7 percent, 3.9 percentage points higher than last year, according to the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism.

More than 200 cultural, tourism, sports, and commercial events were held across the city, with flagship celebrations such as the 36th Shanghai Tourism Festival and the 2nd Shanghai International Light Festival significantly boosting visitor engagement and consumer spending, according to the administration.

The 36th Shanghai Tourism Festival ended on October 6 after nearly 100 days of activities that generated over 300 billion yuan (US$42 billion) in tourism consumption.

There were 177 performances and installations during the 2nd Shanghai International Light Festival, spread across the main West Bund venue and 16 additional sub-venues.

Local and international audiences attended the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters and the World F1H2O Powerboat Championship, integrating sports and tourism.

The administration said diverse culinary, cultural, and nighttime activities enhanced the holiday experience.

Qiantan International Food Festival, Songjiang Coffee Golden Week, and Donghu Food Festival gave visitors an international and Shanghainese taste of the holidays, and 25 themed parade floats at the Shanghai Expo Culture Park boosted nighttime tourism.

Large crowds visited the Shanghai Disney Resort, the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park, and the Dishui Lake for drone shows, fireworks, and nighttime events.

Museums and galleries like the Shanghai Museum's east branch, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, and the Power Station of Art extended hours and held night exhibitions.

The administration reported rising visitor numbers to Shanghai's ancient towns and suburban parks as cultural and rural tourism became holiday highlights.

The 2025 Nanxiang Guochao (China-chic) Convention, Zhujiajiao Culture Season, and Qingxi Ancient Town market blended tradition and innovation.

Pujiang Country Park, Changxing Island, and Jiabei Country Park offered outdoor and family activities, expanding the city's tourism appeal beyond the urban core.

The Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek water tour introduced performance, pet-friendly, and light-themed cruise tours for families during the holidays.

Trip.com reported a strong holiday inbound tourism market. Visitors from South Korea, the US, Russia, Japan, and Malaysia took advantage of the visa-free policy to visit China, it said.

Just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, foreign tourists eagerly embraced and immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of traditional Chinese festival culture. They participated in activities such as making mooncakes and crafting Mid-Autumn palace lanterns, all while admiring the full moon in hanfu, a traditional Chinese garment.

Families comprised over 80 percent of holiday travelers, with Shanghai emerging as one of the most popular domestic destinations during this festive period, according to the online travel operator Tuniu.

Popular attractions included the Shanghai Disney Resort and Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall.