Official data previously released by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the added value of the country"s culture-related industries accounted for 4.61 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), while tourism-related industries contributed 4.35 percent.

　　This shift reflects deeper structural changes in the Chinese economy, where service consumption is playing an increasingly prominent role in driving domestic demand and economic growth.

　　Analysts say Chinese consumers are increasingly prioritizing experiences over material ownership, with travel, immersive cultural activities and heritage-themed dining becoming popular lifestyle choices.

　　The momentum has continued into 2026. During the Spring Festival holiday earlier this year, domestic trips reached 596 million and tourism spending exceeded 800 billion yuan, both record highs. In the first quarter, revenue of major cultural enterprises rose 6.4 percent year on year to more than 3.5 trillion yuan.

　　The cultural tourism sector is also extending beyond traditional scenic attractions into rural areas and local communities. Heritage-themed tourism gained popularity during the May Day holiday, while intangible cultural heritage workshops and rural tourism projects helped create jobs and increase incomes.

　　China"s latest policy blueprint for the 2026-2030 period calls for faster development of cultural industries and stronger growth in cultural tourism, while this year"s government work report emphasized high-quality development of integrated sectors combining culture, tourism, sports and commerce.

　　China"s international tourism appeal has also continued to rise. In 2025, inbound tourist visits exceeded 150 million, up over 17 percent year on year, while inbound tourism spending surpassed 130 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of nearly 40 percent.