During the National Day holiday, 733,000 passengers entered and exited Shanghai from various ports

On October 8th, a spokesperson from the Shanghai Border Inspection Station shared some intriguing insights about travel during the recent National Day holiday, which spanned from October 1st to 7th. According to their findings, the Shanghai border inspection authorities facilitated travel for a total of 733,000 individuals, reflecting an impressive increase of nearly 47% compared to the same period last year.

When we delve into outbound travel, it’s evident that mainland residents took the lead this holiday season. More than 240,000 residents departed from Shanghai’s two major international airports, Pudong and Hongqiao, marking a nearly 40% rise from the previous year’s figures.

Focusing specifically on Pudong International Airport, the numbers tell a compelling story. Between October 1st and October 7th, the airport recorded 608,000 travelers, which is over a 20% increase from last year. Notably, around 209,000 residents set off on overseas journeys during this time, representing a growth of 20.8% from the prior year.

The data also highlights that nearly 70,000 foreign travelers arrived at Pudong and Hongqiao airports during the holiday, with approximately 15,000 entering visa-free—accounting for about 22% of all incoming international visitors. Specifically, more than 59,000 foreign nationals arrived at Pudong International Airport alone, showcasing a significant year-on-year increase of approximately 70%. Among these travelers, those from Japan, South Korea, and the United States were the most prominent. Furthermore, visa-free entries at Pudong contributed to 25% of the total foreign arrivals, with notable numbers coming from Germany, Australia, and the UK.

In addition, the ongoing expansion of international cruise routes contributed to a bustling atmosphere at the Shanghai cruise port during the holiday. The border inspection authorities managed operations for a total of 12 cruise ships, enabling over 56,000 passengers to travel in and out. This marks a 25.1% increase compared to the same period in 2019.