These high-adrenaline experiences are catching on fast. An extreme sports club in Sanya reported a 70 percent surge in skydiving bookings during the holiday, fueled largely by younger travelers.

　　For a growing number of Chinese tourists, the era of passive sightseeing is giving way to something deeper. Travel is no longer just about seeing the world; it's about stepping into it.

　　“Ten years ago, I would've rushed to tick off the must-see sites,“ says Li Li, the traveler from Beijing. “Now, the 'musts' are the moments you never plan for.“