On December 17, train tickets for New Year’s Eve (December 31) went on sale, marking the start of peak travel bookings for the holiday. Data from multiple online travel platforms show that many popular routes sold out quickly, with hotel bookings doubling year-over-year.

The "3-day leave for 8-day holiday" strategy has boosted long-distance travel demand. Harbin remains a top choice, ranking first in homestay bookings nationwide. Meanwhile, Hainan, experiencing its first holiday season post-customs closure, has emerged as a trending destination for 2026 New Year celebrations.

**Train Travel: Short Routes Dominate, Long-Distance Demand Rises** TONGCHENGTRAVEL data reveals that within seconds of ticket sales opening, popular routes like Beijing-Harbin, Beijing-Shenyang, Shenzhen-Xiamen, and Guangzhou-Changsha saw high demand, with peak-time tickets selling out immediately. Qunar’s data also highlights that 2-hour short-distance routes, such as Beijing-Tianjin and Chengdu-Chongqing, were the most sought-after.

For long-distance travel, routes like Beijing-Harbin and Guangzhou-Changsha were in high demand. Top departure cities include Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, while top destinations include Shanghai, Harbin, and Kunming.

**Air Travel: Bookings Surge Early** Air ticket bookings for New Year’s holidays entered peak season ahead of train tickets, with TONGCHENGTRAVEL reporting a 200% YoY increase. Popular flight routes include Guangzhou-Harbin, Shanghai-Kunming, and Beijing-Sanya, reflecting strong demand for both winter and warm-weather destinations.

**Car Rentals: Cross-City Trips Gain Traction** Qunar data shows car rentals for New Year’s rose 180% YoY, with Haikou, Sanya, and Urumqi as top destinations. SUV and comfort-type vehicles saw the fastest growth, while cross-city trips surged 250%.

**Hotels & Homestays: Group Celebrations Drive Demand** "New Year’s Eve hotels" searches spiked 216% on Meituan, with private villas and themed accommodations gaining popularity. Homestays, particularly in Harbin, led bookings, catering to younger travelers (52% of bookings by Gen Z). Unique experiences, like fireworks and hot wine at check-in, enhanced appeal.

**Harbin Stays "Top IP," Hainan Benefits from Customs Closure** Harbin’s Ice and Snow World, opened on December 17, continues to dominate winter travel. Meanwhile, Hainan’s duty-free policies post-customs closure boosted its appeal, with Sanya flight bookings up 75% pre-holiday.

**Alternative Trends: Concerts & Temple Visits** Concert-driven travel, like in Nanning (bookings up 6x), and temple祈福 activities (e.g., Nanjing’s drone show) added to holiday diversity.

As travelers embrace varied experiences, the 2026 New Year holiday showcases a blend of tradition and innovation in tourism.