Holiday-makers seek relief from the crowds

The Palace Museum is a must-visit in Beijing. (Photo by Xu Lin/chinadaily.com.cn)

The search term "avoiding crowds" has become the top travel priority for the upcoming Labor Day holiday, according to data from online tourism platform Mafengwo.

Searches on the platform for less-crowded destinations skyrocketed 200 percent month-over-month, while underrated family-friendly spots saw a 100 percent increase in visits.

Road trips remain a top choice for travelers during the holiday period. Notably, about 55.9 percent of travelers were booking just 10 days before the holiday, a shift attributed to past experiences with airfare price plunges.

Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu, Luoyang, and Suzhou topped Mafengwo's list of the most popular domestic destinations.

Chongqing clinched second place for its multilayered urban landscape, unrivaled street food culture, and drone light spectacles on weekends.

In a new development, young travelers are now seeking to uncover hidden gems and novel experience in traditional tourist cities. Take Chongqing for example, where visitors are also venturing to attractions on its outskirts, such as Three Natural Bridges in Wulong district.

Rizhao, Gannan, Dongying, Heze, Ulanqab, Longnan, Lianyungang, Chengde, Enshi and Bazhong topped Mafengwo's list of fastest-growing hidden destinations for the Labor Day holiday, offering young travelers an opportunity to be far from tourist crowds.