Elderly at and above 60 years old are become a pillar of China's tourism, driving its surge in the first half (H1) of 2025.

According to travel booking platform Qunar.com, destinations like Sanya in the south, Harbin in the northeast, and Urumqi in the northwest ranked among the top options for these silver-haired travelers in H1, with hotel bookings by this age group rising 37 percent during the May Day holiday.

In addition, 75 new "silver-haired trains" were launched in H1, catering to the growing demand for elderly-friendly travel options. To date, China has cumulatively launched over 360 such trains.

The boom also extends to the water. The Ministry of Transport introduced 36 domestic "golden waterway tourism routes" in late June. Located across 23 provincial level regions, these routes link urban landscapes, natural scenery, and cultural attractions, offering a comfortable all-in-one trip for seniors.

Adding to the evolving travel needs of seniors, the National Bureau of Statistics reports that per capita spending on education, culture, and entertainment reached 1,499 yuan (about 209 U.S. dollars) in H1, up 11.8 percent year on year.