During this year’s National Day holiday, the consumer market witnessed a remarkable surge in both supply and demand, leading to unprecedented travel activity and an expanded travel radius. Platforms like DiDi reported a staggering 15% increase in ride-hailing orders compared to 2023, breaking records for the Golden Week. Major cities remained leaders in various transportation modes, while lesser-known “treasure cities” saw a remarkable 130% rise in demand for intercity trips in third and fourth-tier cities compared to the period just before the holiday. Additionally, rides to historical sites saw an impressive increase of 111%.
In a noteworthy comparison to last year’s holiday, cities like Chongqing, Dongguan, Wuhan, and Changsha made it into the top ten for ride-hailing demand this year. Nighttime travel demand surged by 42% as well.
DiDi’s ride-sharing data revealed an astonishing 202% increase in ride-sharing orders during this year’s National Day holiday compared to the period leading up to the holiday. The top five cities for ride-sharing during this period included Chengdu, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chongqing.
This year, lesser-known destinations gained traction, leading to a 130% rise in ride-hailing demand for intercity trips from smaller cities. Popular places such as Altai in Xinjiang and Yichun in Heilongjiang experienced daily ride-hailing demand spikes of over 160%, establishing them as must-visit autumn locations. In comparison to last year’s holiday, areas like Xishuangbanna, Dehong in Yunnan, and Zhangjiajie in Hunan also saw an increase of over 50% in daily ride-hailing requests.
Non-heritage cultural sites and historical attractions attracted significantly more visitors this year, with ride-hailing demand for these locations rising by 111%. The popularity of the game “Black Myth: Wukong” significantly boosted interest in Xiaoxitian in Linfen, leading to over a 14-fold increase in ride-hailing demand compared to last year, and a staggering 577% rise compared to just before the holiday.
Several major sporting events coincided with the National Day holiday, such as the 2024 WTT China Grand Slam, which led to a 96% year-on-year increase in ride-hailing demand at Shijingshan Shougang Park in Beijing. Similarly, demand for rides to the National Tennis Center for the 2024 China Open surged by an incredible 796% compared to just before the holiday.
The extended holiday also provided travelers with the chance to explore new places. There was a notable 125% increase in orders for pet-friendly ride services, with cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu leading the trend.
Throughout the holiday, DiDi’s customer service team assisted users in recovering over 23,000 lost items, preventing nearly 18 million yuan in economic losses. They also responded to 2,738 inquiries regarding transportation needs for senior users, ensuring a seamless experience for older demographics.
Demand for rental cars remained strong, with DiDi reporting a 65% year-on-year increase in rental orders. Long-term rentals of four days or more accounted for 60% of these orders, with Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi’an showing the highest demand. In contrast, cities like Xuancheng, Ulanqab, and Wuzhong experienced rapid growth, with increases of approximately 308%, 300%, and 260%, respectively, compared to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Fuel orders also rose significantly, up 22% compared to regular days, with cities like Shantou and Jinan experiencing marked increases. Meanwhile, charging orders surged by 67%, particularly in cities such as Jinan, where they soared by 196%.
For travelers seeking flexibility, carpooling became a favored option, with DiDi reporting a 318% increase in carpool orders compared to the September average. The most popular carpool packages catered to 8-hour trips with different distance limits, reflecting the demand for longer group outings.
City travel trends saw a crossover with an increase in themed buses. DiDi collaborated with various companies to introduce city-limited themed buses, resulting in a 95% increase in occupancy for these buses this year.
In the realm of business travel, DiDi’s corporate services effectively integrated transportation with travel bookings, boasting a remarkable 159% year-on-year increase in personal travel orders from corporate clients during the holiday.
Notably, in Hong Kong, ride-hailing demand doubled compared to prior to the holiday, while international users of DiDi’s service experienced a 214% increase in ride requests.
This year’s National Day holiday highlighted the travel sector’s capability to harness consumer demand, underscoring trends in experiential consumption and showcasing the strength and resilience of China’s consumer market.
