Beijing records 23.45 million tourist visits during National Day holiday, tourism spending hits $4.1 billion

(ECNS) – Beijing just recorded 23.45 million tourist visits during the National Day holiday, with total tourism spending reaching 29.49 billion yuan (about $4.1 billion), according to data released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday.

The capital recorded 126,000 inbound tourist visits during the holiday, generating 1.37 billion yuan in spending.

The top 10 destinations in Beijing by visitor numbers were Wangfujing, the Liangma River International Style Waterfront, Beijing Olympic Park, Xidan, the Tian'anmen area, Qianmen Street, Temple of Heaven Park, Shichahai Scenic Area, Nanluoguxiang (South Luogu Lane), and the Summer Palace.

During the holiday, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, together with district authorities and businesses, launched more than 3,000 cultural and tourism activities. New experiences featuring opera performances in gardens, waterfront night tours and tours along the Beijing Central Axis were introduced, while the integration of cultural and tourism activities with sports events and the concert ticket-stub economy — using performance tickets to encourage related spending — was promoted as a way to boost holiday spending.

 

The 10th Chinese Opera Culture Week was held at Beijing Garden Expo Park during the holiday, featuring an opera showcase, live performances staged in garden settings, amateur opera competitions and an opera carnival. Food and cultural markets, including the Qianmen Food Gala and the first Global Carbohydrate Festival at Beijing World Park, also added to the festive atmosphere.

The 2026 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival · Consumption Season ran throughout the National Day holiday, offering nighttime sightseeing experiences on the water and on land.

Leisure activities such as enjoying autumn scenery, celebrating the harvest and sampling food also proved popular among residents and tourists. Yuanmingyuan Park, Fenghuangling and Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park introduced special activities combining traditional folk customs with contemporary experiences. The newly opened Gubei Miaojie Street also offered a new cultural and tourism destination in Beijing's suburbs with a mix of businesses and immersive street experiences.

During the holiday, Beijing staged 368 commercial productions across 2,329 performances, attracting about 690,000 spectators and generating approximately 230 million yuan in box-office revenue. A wide range of themed shows, high-quality productions and large-scale performances were presented throughout the holiday. Events including the Beijing Grand Canal Music Festival and the 2026 Aranya Yanqi Music Holiday drew large numbers of visitors to Beijing.

(By Tang Yuxian)