tourism

Fun Factory: Why China’s Tourists Are Queuing Up at Assembly Lines

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

From car plants to breweries and even robot labs, companies are looking to capitalize on the growing interest in industrial tourism.

Fan Yiying

Fu Xiaoqing

Leisurely Learning: Bars and Hotels Become New Classrooms

University guesthouses and “academic bars” are attracting young Chinese urbanites seeking knowledge and deeper cultural experiences.

Flower Power: Spring Spurs Tomb-sweeping Day Travel Boom 

Seasonal getaways see a surge as more Chinese opt for nature, culture, and short-distance trips.

Li Xin

After Five Years, Chinese Travel Agencies Eye a Return to North Korea

The country briefly reopened to non-Russian tourists for the first time in five years in February, only to suspend entry again in March.

Chen Yiru

In China, Tourists Can Take a Hike — Or Let a Robot Do the Work

Robotic exoskeletons are being tested at China’s top tourist sites, offering visitors AI-powered assistance to tackle steep trails and staircases.

He Qitong

Spring Festival: UNESCO Listing Sparks Surge in Cultural Travel

Interest in traditional performances and experiences surged across China, with both domestic and international travel seeing significant growth.

Neon Genesis: How a ‘Scrolling’ Wall Made a Border City Go Viral

A neon-stacked building in Yanji, a Chinese city on the North Korean border, brings internet culture to life, drawing waves of tourists eager to see the spectacle in person.

Wen Ming

This Spring Festival, Travelers Are Swiping Right — On Each Other’s Homes

With travel costs soaring, house swapping is emerging as an affordable, offbeat alternative — offering a home for the holidays, no booking fees required.

Zhou Hanchi

Now or Naver: The Korean Apps Packing Shanghai’s Restaurants

China’s visa-free policy opened the doors. Naver and Instagram showed them where to go. Now, South Korean tourists are flocking to a handful of Shanghai restaurants, and businesses are scrambling to keep up.

The Many Colors of RedNote

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

What makes a destination go viral on the app? The answer may lie in picking the right color scheme.

Guo Jia

Chinese Actor’s Trafficking Ordeal Leaves Thai Tourism Reeling

The actor’s rescue from a trafficking ring has revived fears of cross-border scams, prompting Chinese tourists to cancel trips en masse.

Harbin Firm Under Fire for Banning Employees From Ice Festival

A local company’s attempt at hospitality snowballed into a public relations disaster over the weekend.

Li Miaoran

The World According to Xiaohongshu

How China’s most popular lifestyle app leads — and misleads — young tourists.

Yuan Ye

They Built an Entire ‘Ancient Town.’ Practically Nobody Came.  

The vast Dayong Town complex cost over $300 million to build, but only receives about 20 visitors per day.

China’s Wildest Job: College Students Racing to Become Cavemen

To attract tourists over the summer, China’s scenic spots hired young people to perform as “cavemen.” Eager to escape daily pressures, thousands of students signed up.

Ding Rui

National Day Splurge: Tourist Spending Hits $99 Billion

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Travelers made 765 million trips over the weeklong holiday, with nontraditional destinations like Datong and Changsha among those reaping the rewards.

The Paper

Adventure Meets Risk as Tourists Flock to Yunnan’s Wild Peaks

Fueled by viral videos, tourists are flocking to Yunnan’s uncharted forests during the National Holiday, prompting safety warnings and fines for entering restricted areas.

Golden Week: Surge in Outbound Travel From Lower-Tier Cities

Travelers from third- and lower-tier cities now account for over 40% of long-distance international trips, with demand for bookings more than doubling.

To Scale Peaks, Chinese Hikers Are Hiring Personal Cheerleaders

University students are turning part-time guides, offering snacks, emotional support, and encouragement to help hikers navigate China’s toughest trails.

Jiang Xinyi

Ye Performs in China for First Time in 16 Years

The rapper’s appearance has stunned music fans across China — and sparked calls for authorities to clear more gigs by international stars.