Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — During public holidays, more than 90% of passenger traffic in China is carried by road, while the country’s auto tourism market exceeded 1.5 trillion yuan in 2024.
The strong interest in travel is particularly visible during the National Day holiday. More than 90% of passenger traffic during the holiday period is carried by road, with private-car trips accounting for the largest share.
In recent years, road travel has consistently remained the main mode of transport during holidays.
The world’s largest automotive power
As of the end of June 2026, China had 371 million vehicles and 533 million drivers. Both figures are the highest in the world. China has also ranked first globally in vehicle production and sales for 17 consecutive years.
Roads and charging infrastructure
By the end of 2025, China’s total road network had reached 5.5789 million kilometres, including 199,400 kilometres of expressways.
Roads classified as Grade IV or higher accounted for 98.1% of the network. In terms of the length of operational expressways, China has consistently ranked first in the world.
As the number of new-energy vehicles grows, the network of fast-charging infrastructure is also expanding.
According to China’s Ministry of Transport, about 11,000 new high-power charging devices (charging guns) were installed at roadside service areas from January to August 2026. The same number had been put into operation during all previous years through the end of 2025.
About 22,000 high-power charging devices are now operating at service areas, while around 89,000 are installed across the country’s expressways. Shortages of charging stations and long waiting times are being addressed systematically.
Infrastructure development goes beyond the availability of roads. It includes rest areas, food services, facilities for replenishing supplies, electric-vehicle charging and other services.
The auto tourism market
A car journey generates a broader chain of consumption, including restaurants and cafés along routes, hotels, tourist tickets, automotive accessories, equipment for road trips, maintenance and repairs.
According to the China Auto Tourism Development Report, jointly published by the Tourism Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China Tourist Transport Association, the country’s auto tourism market exceeded 1.5 trillion yuan in 2024.
The audience is also expanding. According to the China County Auto Tourism Research Report 2025, the market is gradually shifting from middle-aged travellers aged 35–55 towards two new groups — Generation Z and older people. Healthy and active retirees over 60 are becoming a notable force in long-distance road travel.
Government policy
The key provisions of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan call for expanding the supply of high-quality tourism products, making greater use of natural and cultural resources and promoting cross-sector integration.
Auto tourism stimulates consumption in the cultural and tourism sectors, connects resources in urban and rural areas and, supported by the country’s extensive road network, provides an impetus for related industries.
