This year’s extended Golden Week—blending National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival—has unleashed a torrent of Chinese travelers, turning quiet international escapes into bustling hubs of Mandarin chatter and familiar faces. What was meant to be serene getaways in off-the-beaten-path spots now feel like extensions of home, with Chinese tourists dominating the scene from alpine villages to northern archipelagos. Outbound trips are surging 130% year-over-year, fueled by visa-free perks and pent-up wanderlust, making the world a little more “Chinese” this holiday.
Social media is abuzz with travelers sharing the irony: seeking solitude abroad only to find crowds of compatriots. One netizen quipped, “I thought I’d escaped the holiday rush—turns out, we all had the same idea. Now the globe knows when China holidays hit.”
Norway’s Lofoten Islands: Traffic Jams in a Remote Paradise?
Picture this: the rugged, sparsely populated Lofoten Islands off Norway’s northern coast, home to just over 20,000 residents and epic fjord views. Yet during Golden Week 2025, Guangdong visitor Han found it teeming with Chinese tourists. “The island’s sole Chinese restaurant was packed with queues, and roads—usually empty—ground to a halt from all the rental cars,” he shared.
Sights brimmed with fellow countrymen; on October 5, Han spotted only two locals amid the throngs. “It was comforting, though—chatting in Mandarin felt natural, like greeting old friends.” While Europe sees a broader influx of Chinese visitors this season, such remote Nordic gems highlight how outbound travel is venturing beyond the usual suspects.
Australia’s Sydney: Whale Watches Turned Mandarin-Speaking Safaris
Sydney’s iconic harbor usually draws a global mix, but Shanghai’s Li Zimeng (pseudonym) arrived to a very homegrown vibe. “Snapping pics by the Opera House? Forget prime angles—Chinese tourists everywhere,” she laughed. Her whale-watching excursion amplified the surprise: three boats, save for the Aussie captains, overflowed with Chinese groups, perfectly coordinated for sightings of migrating humpbacks.
The perks? Zero language barriers. “Lost? Ask anyone—they’re Chinese too. I navigated Sydney entirely in Mandarin; it was seamless.” With Australia’s appeal spiking among Asian travelers, this holiday underscores the ease of group dynamics in high-season adventures. Whale season aligns perfectly, but the cultural takeover adds an unexpected layer of comfort.
Russia’s Moscow Red Square: Youthful Crowds Echoing in Every Corner
For Wan, an expat in Moscow for eight years, the Red Square transformed overnight. “Normally, it’s older tour groups, but this Golden Week brought waves of young Chinese tourists—vibrant and polite,” he noted. Every nook buzzed with Mandarin, from historic facades to the famed GUM department store’s ice cream stalls, where queues snaked with familiar accents.
Russia’s star is rising fast, thanks to visa-free access boosting bookings for the holiday. “They leave a stellar impression—orderly, enthusiastic,” Wan added, as the square pulsed with this influx.
Switzerland’s Zermatt: Alpine Idyll or Holiday Hotspot?
Even car-free Zermatt, nestled under the Matterhorn, couldn’t dodge the wave. Netizens reported streets alive with Chinese tourists during the long break, turning the pristine Swiss village into a sea of red flags and group selfies. “I came for peace and quiet—got a domestic tour vibe instead,” one posted.
Switzerland’s allure for Asian visitors persists, though numbers dipped post-pandemic; this year’s rebound shows Golden Week reclaiming its throne. The shared language and energy make it oddly reassuring amid the crowds.
This outbound travel boom—projected at 2.36 billion passenger trips overall—signals China’s travelers are back in force, blending cultural bridges with logistical quirks. For hosts abroad, it’s a boon; for visitors, a reminder that adventure often comes with company. As one commenter summed up: “The world’s our oyster—turns out, we’re all shucking it together.”
This article compiles traveler anecdotes and trends for entertainment. Travel experiences vary; check official advisories.
References
- Swissinfo: Swiss tourism is booming – but where are the Chinese? (Sep 20, 2025)
- Travel and Tour World: China’s Tourism Boom: How National Day Holiday 2025 Is Shattering Records (Recent)
- The Nation Thailand: China’s Golden Week 2025 sees Japan top list (Recent)
- FTN News: Surge of Chinese travellers going abroad for Golden Week holiday (Sep 28, 2025)
- The Thaiger: Visa-free travel boosts Chinese interest in Russia for National Day (Sep 8, 2025)
