6.5 million Chinese tourists to travel abroad this Spring Festival holiday

Thailand remains Chinese travelers’ favorite overseas destination

Over this year’s week-long Spring Festival holiday period, some 6.5 million Chinese are expected to head abroad, escaping the travel hell that their country becomes.

Once again, Thailand is the top destination for Chinese tourists travelling overseas, followed by Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam, according to an annual report compiled by the China Tourism Academy and Ctrip. Last Spring Festival, 6.15 million Chinese ventured abroad.

This annual exodus is always a big boon for many countries’ tourism sectors — on average, Chinese travelers are expected to spend 9,500 yuan ($1,510) on their trips this year — however, it can also bring its fair share of chaos.

Just last month, Chinese tourists clashed with Japanese police at the Tokyo airport during a long flight delay. As one of the travelers was taken away, his compatriots began to sing out the Chinese national anthem.

Meanwhile, some of those travelling abroad will even go as far as Antarctica. Back in December, China made its first commercial flight to the continent as state media hailed the launch of a “new era in tapping polar travel.”