During the 2026 New Year's Day holiday, the surge in population movement fueled a continued boom in the consumer market. Data shows that the total number of cross-regional population movements reached 590 million, averaging 198 million per day. This surge in people, goods, and consumption not only reflects the booming holiday economy but also demonstrates the resilience and strength of the Chinese economy.
To revitalize consumption, the key lies in precise alignment between the supply and demand sides. Utilizing themed scenarios to create a vibrant consumption atmosphere, such as the "Super Miracle Carnival Month" at Beijing Super Hopson One and the "Ice and Snow Season Art Exhibition" at Xiangyun Town, can generate consumption hotspots through distinctive themed activities. Encouraging shopping districts to extend their operating hours and attract flagship stores, such as the Wanli Wangfujing WellTown which attracts customers with over a hundred flagship and specialty stores, encourages consumer spending. Furthermore, policy support must keep pace, leveraging national subsidies to support the trade-in of old home appliances, thus providing a solid foundation for consumption.
Deepening the integration of culture and tourism, and connecting the "transportation + culture + experience" chain. Leveraging the transportation network to activate resources along the route, the opening of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway has shortened the travel time between Xi'an and Yan'an to about one hour, boosting the daily visitor volume of Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area by 165%. The "high-speed rail + culture and tourism" model connects scenic spots and commercial districts, allowing "fast transportation" to connect with "slow experiences." From the Hanfu-style ancient banquet at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden in Henan, to the 5G-linked New Year's Eve celebrations at Tengwang Pavilion, Yellow Crane Tower, and Yueyang Tower, and the "Learning Penguin" interaction at Harbin Polarland, technology empowers and embodies culture, transforming tourists from "seeing the scenery" to "immersing themselves in the experience."
Activating the value of traditional festivals and integrating cultural elements into modern life. On the one hand, exploring the ritualistic aspect of festivals: the simultaneous ringing of bells and drums at Beijing's Dazhong Temple and the Great Wall drum formation at Juyongguan, and the fish lantern parade on Dongguan Street in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, awaken cultural identity through traditional rituals, making the festivals more atmospheric. On the other hand, promoting innovation between time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritage: the popularity of cultural and creative products such as the horse-themed jewelry co-branded by the Xu Beihong Memorial Hall and the "Heavenly Horse Glass" refrigerator magnets from Zhihua Temple, transforming traditional cultural symbols into consumer products, both inheriting culture and stimulating consumption, making the festivals more innovative. The supply of "emotional value" cannot be ignored. New Year's Eve light shows and temple prayer activities satisfy people's need for emotional resonance, making traditional festivals a link between culture and consumption.
A China in motion is, in essence, a China full of vitality. From the crowds in shopping districts to the laughter in scenic spots, from the hustle and bustle on high-speed trains to the reunions during festivals, every movement fuels economic development. By activating consumption through scenario innovation, upgrading cultural and tourism experiences through deep integration, and illuminating festivals with cultural empowerment, we can continuously optimize supply, improve services, and strengthen safeguards to unleash the potential of domestic demand and better meet the needs of the people. (Tang Daiyuan)
