As the national college entrance exams conclude across multiple regions, the 2026 graduation travel market has kicked off ahead of schedule. Data from online travel platform Qunar shows that flight bookings by 18-year-old travelers surged over 30 percent month-on-month in mid-to-late June. Average airfares and hotel rates in June are more than 50 percent lower than the summer peak, creating an ideal window for off-peak travel. Over 100 scenic spots nationwide are offering free admission or discounts to this year's high school graduates, including Mount Huangshan Scenic Area and Baoquan Tourism Area in Henan.
High school graduates favor short-haul trips to classic destinations, with Jiamusi — known as "China's Easternmost Point" — seeing the highest growth in flight bookings among the 18-year-old demographic. College graduates, meanwhile, prefer medium- to long-haul in-depth tours, with destinations such as Urumqi and Ili gaining popularity. The Dragon Boat Festival holiday from June 19 to 21 has further concentrated demand for folk custom experiences and summer leisure travel. According to Umetrip data, domestic flight bookings for the holiday period have exceeded 1.8 million tickets. Industry experts advise travelers to seize the off-peak window and check official direct-sales platforms for discounts to reduce travel costs.
