Travelers race for Dragon Boat holiday destinations

Local and short, self-driving trips are estimated to dominate tourists' choices during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival holiday from May 31 to June 2.

According to data from the online tourism platform Mafengwo released on May 21, searches for local travel increased over 50 percent and road trips jumped by 65 percent weekly.

The holiday, which overlaps with Children's Day, is expected to boost family travel, with searches for family trips surging 152 percent weekly on Mafengwo. Popular options include theme parks, zoos, museums, and traditional Dragon Boat Festival activities.

The top holiday destinations are Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu in Sichuan province, and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.

Beijing travelers favor road trips to the Inner Mongolia autonomous region's grasslands and volcanic geological park, or viewing Shanxi province's ancient architecture. Travelers from Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang prefer driving along Qiandao Lake and Fuchun River for their stunning views.

Dragon boat races are held annually in cities such as Foshan in Guangdong province, Chongqing, and Tongren in Guizhou province, attracting those who want to experience the festive atmosphere. Tourists can enjoy intangible cultural heritage activities in scenic areas nationwide, such as making zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), a traditional festival treat.

Visa-free destinations like Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea and Singapore are also big draws for outbound travelers who use artificial intelligent tools to plan their trips, such as seeking cultural and culinary experiences.