By Hasan Muhammad

Editor's Note: The writer is a freelance columnist on international affairs based in Karachi, Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of China Economic Net.

China’s “super golden week” kicked off on October 1 with a rare overlap of National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, turning the country into a vast canvas of celebration. From the fireworks over Victoria Harbour to lantern-lit alleys in Chongqing, the mood was festive and reflective. Families gathered at Beijing’s Palace Museum, tourists flooded Shanghai’s Bund, and mooncakes were shared under the full moon. It was more than a holiday- it was a moment of national communion.

The numbers tell a story of scale. On the first day alone, over 340 million passenger trips were recorded. By the end of the eight-day break, China’s Ministry of Transport expects 2.36 billion journeys across the country. Railways are handling more than 200 million trips, airlines are seeing record highs, and hotel bookings have surged by 130 percent compared to last year2. These figures reflect not just movement, but momentum - a society eager to reconnect with its roots and each other.

National Day marks the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, a moment born from revolution and resistance. The Mid-Autumn Festival, rooted in ancient harvest traditions, celebrates family and reunion. Together, they offer a powerful blend of patriotism and nostalgia. This year’s overlap is rare - the last time it happened was in 2001 - and it has stirred a wave of celebration that feels both personal and collective.

The travel boom is also a sign of economic resilience. In the first half of 2025, domestic trips reached 3.28 billion, up more than 20 percent from the previous year. Scenic spots like Jiuzhaigou National Park sold out their daily ticket quotas before the holiday even began. The Chengdu Panda Base saw its slots booked within hours. Museums across the country, from Shaanxi to Hunan, posted sold-out signs as visitors poured in.

Internationally, China is also opening its doors. Inbound travel rose more than 40 percent on the first day of the holiday, with flights landing in 70 cities. Visitors from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia are exploring both urban centers and quieter cultural sites. Outbound travel is booming too, with up to 8.4 million Chinese tourists heading abroad. Southeast Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe are among the top destinations, reflecting a growing appetite for diverse experiences2.

The infrastructure behind this mobilization is impressive. High-speed trains, expanded airport capacity, and seamless digital booking systems have made travel more accessible. Last year’s golden week saw 765 million domestic visits and nearly 700 billion yuan in spending. This year is expected to match or exceed those figures, giving a boost to the service economy.

With reports of sustained bookings and clear skies aiding the exodus, this super golden week emerges not as a fleeting indulgence but as a microcosm of China's ethos. It affirms a society that honors its past while hurtling toward horizons unbound by borders or bitterness. In a world prone to retreat, China's festive surge invites participation, a lunar invitation to gaze upward together.

China’s super golden week is not just a break from routine. It’s a reflection of a society that values both tradition and progress. In a world often marked by retreat and division, this celebration stands out as an invitation - to gather, to explore, and to look up at the same moon. The crowds may be thick and the roads busy, but in that shared experience lies a quiet truth: progress is a journey best taken together.