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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
SHANGHAI, March 31 (Xinhua) — Jin Ling, a Shanghai resident in eastern China, recently returned to Shanghai after spending the winter in the warm southern province of Hainan. Now, after only a short time at home, she's already preparing for a group trip to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR, northwest China) to admire the blooming flowers. This spring season promises to be very eventful.
Another elderly resident, Dai Changtong, visited Bangladesh last month during the Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) holidays, and this month he experienced authentic traditional culture in the city of Putian in China's coastal Fujian Province. He and his companions travel to various parts of China and other countries, not only as an experienced backpacker but also as a keen photographer.
Tourism is increasingly becoming an integral part of the lives of Chinese seniors, who strive to live an active and rewarding life in their later years. Leading Chinese travel services such as Springtour, Trip.com Group, HopeGoo, and Qunar recently reported on the 2026 spring tourism season, which showed that a significant share of tourism flow will come from the elderly population.
Dai Bin, Director of the China Institute of Tourism Research, noted that in China, an increasing number of older people, especially those who have recently retired, are joining the "army" of travel enthusiasts, forming an active group of consumers of tourism services, distinguished by good manners, relatively high purchasing power, and a strong desire for an active and free lifestyle.
At the same time, China, which is rapidly expanding its "silver hair" economy, is also widely opening its tourism market to senior travelers. Specifically, last weekend, March 28 and 29, Shanghai welcomed two large international cruise ships, the Mein Schiff 6 and the MSC Magnifica, which brought over 5,500 inbound tourists, a significant number of whom were middle-aged and elderly.
Among them was a 65-year-old tourist from Russia named Ekaterina. In Shanghai, she had already visited one of the city's signature attractions, Yuyuan Park, renowned for embodying ancient Chinese classical architecture combined with garden art. Her busy itinerary also included trying her hand at a fashionable pastime among Chinese youth: taking a stunning photoshoot in hanfu (Han Chinese traditional clothing) and strolling through Shanghai Disneyland.
As demand for tourism services among seniors grows rapidly, China's tourism industry is actively adapting to the needs of this audience, offering special services that take into account the age and physical characteristics of tourists.
For example, Shanghai-based Spring Airlines recently launched an annual pass specifically for passengers aged 60 and over. This pass allows passengers to purchase unlimited free tickets on domestic and international flights between March and December 2026, excluding peak tourist seasons. Regarding rail transport, the China State Railway Corporation plans to develop over 100 tour routes for senior tourists by 2027, introduce 160 sightseeing trains equipped for this demographic, and increase the number of such train departures to over 2,500.
At the same time, the reconstruction of infrastructure facilities in tourist areas is accelerating across the country; for example, more senior-friendly toilets and service stations are being installed.
According to Dai Bin, China's tourism industry is confidently developing to better meet diversified tourist demands, demonstrate stronger drivers of progress, offer more competitive tours and services, and continually enhance its international appeal. This development model makes tourism increasingly accessible and comfortable for all segments of the population, including the elderly, rural residents, and people with disabilities.
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