Outbound travel from China is surging as the Qingming Festival approaches, with popular destinations including the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea experiencing a notable rise in bookings. Visa-free policies, streamlined entry procedures, and pleasant spring weather are driving the demand.

Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, traditionally honours ancestors while also giving Chinese citizens a short break for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Combined with overlapping student spring breaks in multiple cities, this has created an extended travel window from Wednesday through April 6, offering a major boost to the tourism market.

Travel agencies report strong interest in new itineraries, such as Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur-Penang dual-city tours, which saw a 230% weekly spike in searches. Thailand’s Bangkok and Chiang Mai attract young travellers with temple blessings and spring markets, while Europe-themed tours focused on flower viewing are also gaining popularity, blending culture and nature for enriching holiday experiences.