The End of Rush-and-See: Young Chinese Embrace Slow Travel.
More and more Chinese travelers are moving beyond traditional sightseeing. Instead, they are seeking immersion — deep, personal experiences that blur the line between observer and participant.
This rising preference for "slow travel" is not just in numbers but in intention. Many travelers are rejecting fast-paced, checklist-style tourism in favor of meaningful encounters.
According to a May report released by China Youth Daily, immersive "slow travel" (55.3%) and independent travel (52.3%) are the most favored tourism styles among young people. Additionally, exploring niche attractions (41.9%) has also become popular choices.
In Qingchuan county, Sichuan province, visitors capture rare and precious encounters with wild takins through their camera lenses.
Even historic sites are reimagining how they engage visitors. At the ancient Guanque Tower in Shanxi province, tourists now interact with costumed actors who reenact Tang Dynasty scenes, turning classical poetry into an immersive performance.
In Wuhu, Anhui province, a customs house has been digitally revamped with AR exhibitions.
During her trip to Quanzhou, in East China's Fujian province, college student Yan Ting chose to avoid rushing between hot spots. Instead, she wandered slowly through the old town, strolled into narrow alleys to watch locals brew tea and chat, and even joined a group of elderly people to enjoy nanyin — one of China's oldest musical forms, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. "I just wanted to see how the locals live. This everyday vibe is more appealing to me than checking in at popular attractions."
For Wang Zixuan, who traveled to Sanya in Hainan province, the most memorable moments were "walking along the beach at sunrise or dusk, feeling the seawater wash over my feet, and sitting on the sand doing nothing but clearing my mind."
Cultural Experience Taker + Co-Creator
Some young travelers are also trying out "volunteer tourism", taking part in local teaching or environmental projects to immerse themselves more deeply in the community.
Groups of young travelers formed "cultural documentation teams" in Guizhou's Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture. They helped elderly villagers compile oral histories, recorded traditional embroidery techniques, and assisted locals in establishing small online museums.