Published on
October 8, 2025
The surge of Chinese tourists to Australia, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia has ignited an unprecedented wave of international travel, creating massive crowds and causing significant strain on local infrastructure. This influx, fueled by the easing of travel restrictions and a pent-up demand for global exploration, has overwhelmed airports, transportation systems, and popular tourist destinations. As more Chinese citizens take advantage of newfound mobility, these countries are experiencing not only an economic boon but also facing challenges related to overcrowding, resource allocation, and the sustainability of their tourism industries. The increased footfall is testing the limits of local services and facilities, leading to chaos in some areas, with businesses and governments scrambling to manage the sudden, rapid growth.
During China’s extended eight-day holiday, combining National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese tourists descended on global destinations in unprecedented numbers. As travelers flocked to popular attractions, small towns in Europe and other unexpected locales also saw a surge in visitors, creating challenges in terms of overcrowding and congestion. Tourists, especially those in group tours, didn’t limit their travel to traditional, well-known destinations but ventured into less-visited regions, which led to a range of disruptions.
Qunar, a prominent Chinese travel booking platform, reported that Chinese travelers made reservations for flights to 599 cities worldwide during the holiday period. This significant movement was highlighted by the Geukmok Newspaper, which ran the headline, “The world has noticed the Chinese holiday.” The report underscored how famous landmarks and even remote European towns became flooded with Chinese tourists. The news coverage pointed to the global awareness that China’s major holiday period had caused widespread international attention, particularly for countries that typically do not see such a heavy flow of tourists.
In Norway’s Lofoten Islands, a region with a population of around 20,000, the influx of Chinese tourists caused significant traffic jams, an occurrence never before experienced in the small area. Visitors from China shared their accounts of overwhelming crowds, particularly in popular spots such as local restaurants, with long wait times being reported. It became clear that Mandarin was the predominant language spoken in many parts of the islands, as the area’s tourism infrastructure struggled to manage the sheer volume of visitors.
Other destinations, like Palau’s Blue Hole, a famous scuba diving site, also felt the impact of the influx of Chinese tourists. A video of the site, packed with people, went viral, with social media users joking that the site was “more crowded than the fish.” This humorous remark reflected a broader sense of surprise and frustration among both locals and visitors, as the natural beauty of the site was overshadowed by the number of tourists swarming the area.
In Japan, the effects were similarly noticeable. Airports, including Osaka’s Kansai International, saw immigration delays of over two hours due to the increased volume of Chinese travelers. These delays caused a ripple effect across the country’s transportation systems, making it harder for travelers to reach their destinations efficiently. The increase in travelers also affected smaller cities, as the flow of people into popular tourist spots created bottlenecks and overcrowded conditions.
However, not all news during the holiday period was positive. Several tragic incidents highlighted the risks associated with large-scale travel. In Australia, one Chinese tourist tragically lost their life during a hike, caught in severe weather conditions. The incident led to a safety warning from the Chinese consulate in Melbourne, urging tourists to exercise caution when traveling in such environments. Additionally, in Nepal, several Chinese climbers became stranded near Mount Everest due to a sudden snowstorm. This situation required a large-scale rescue operation, involving hundreds of personnel, to safely retrieve the climbers. These events cast a shadow over the festivities, as they underscored the potential dangers of mass tourism.
The increase in Chinese tourists also had notable effects on South Korea. In late September, South Korea introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists, which led to an immediate spike in the number of visitors to cities like Seoul. Popular districts such as Myeongdong and Seongsu-dong experienced a visible rise in Chinese tourists, as the policy made it easier for large groups to visit without the need for a visa. This shift also reflected the broader trend of visa-free destinations becoming increasingly popular among Chinese tourists, as it simplified travel logistics.
Before the holiday, analysts predicted a wide dispersal of Chinese tourists across the globe during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival break, which ran from October 1 to October 8. The South China Morning Post reported that China Trading Desk, a travel marketing firm, had forecasted that between 8 million and 8.4 million outbound trips would be made during this period. The demand for destinations with visa exemptions was particularly high, with countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand seeing a surge in Chinese travelers. This was further influenced by South Korea’s new visa-exemption policy, which helped drive a significant portion of the outbound travel.
The official statistics confirmed the scale of the surge. Chinese immigration authorities reported that, during the holiday period, over 2 million entries and exits were recorded each day. These numbers illustrated the sheer volume of outbound travel, marking one of the busiest periods for international travel in recent years. Following the conclusion of the holiday, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is expected to release detailed travel statistics, which will provide a clearer picture of how these massive movements have affected domestic consumption and broader economic activity.
The surge of Chinese tourists to Australia, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, driven by the easing of travel restrictions, is causing massive crowds and overwhelming local infrastructure. This influx is straining transportation, airports, and tourist sites, raising concerns about sustainability and management of tourism growth.
As Chinese tourists continue to explore new destinations, their impact on the global tourism landscape is becoming increasingly evident. The rise in numbers has brought both benefits and challenges, as popular sites become overcrowded and some unexpected destinations struggle to keep up with the influx of visitors. The effects of this period of travel are expected to be felt for some time, particularly as countries and regions adjust their infrastructure to handle such high volumes of tourists.
