🗓️ Sunday, December 7th, 2026
📍 Thailand -> China

🌏✨ China Becomes Thai Travellers’ No.1 Overseas Hotspot in 2025

Bonus highlight: Since 1 March 2024, Thai passport holders can enter China visa-free 🎉 — a huge game-changer that has boosted travel between the two countries!

🔥 China’s Secondary Cities Are the New Travel Superstars

Shanghai has taken the crown 👑 as the top overseas destination for Thai travellers in 2025, with bookings soaring 334% year-on-year. Meanwhile, Chongqing has become the fastest-growing hotspot 🚀 with bookings up 828% and searches rising 395%. With its bold, spicy cuisine 🌶️ and dramatic mountainous scenery 🏞️, Chongqing is now a favourite for Thais seeking immersive, authentic travel experiences.

🧭 Why China Is Booming With Thai Travellers

Thai tourists are shifting from quick sightseeing trips 🏙️ to deeper cultural and experiential travel 🎭. Trip.Best data shows Thai users spend an average of six days researching before booking. Searches for hands-on activities 🤹‍♂️ have jumped 808%, while interest in “cool escape attractions” ❄️ has exploded 1,941%. The visa-free entry policy (since 1 March 2024) has also made spontaneous China trips easier than ever ✈️.

📍 Top Overseas Destinations for Thais in 2025

Shanghai leads the list with 334% growth, followed by Hong Kong (⬆️ 52%), Tokyo (⬆️ 71%), and Osaka (⬆️ 132%). But China remains the shining star 🌟 thanks to its variety of cities, rich culture, and the convenience of visa-free entry for Thai passport holders.

🇹🇭 Domestic Travel Still Strong in Thailand

Despite the China boom, domestic tourism has grown 25% 📈. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket remain top local favourites 🏖️. Influencers play a major role: 47% of family travellers follow travel creators 📸, and 45% of all travellers get trip ideas from KOLs — up from 28% in 2024. Direct bookings via KOL promo codes have surged 120% 🔥.

🤖 AI Trip Planning Gains Popularity

Trip.Best, Trip.com Group’s AI travel recommendation platform, has seen a 35% boost in satisfaction among Thai users 💡. Travellers love its reliable suggestions, smart planning tools 🧠, and curated recommendations that balance adventure and convenience.

🌟 The Bottom Line

With the visa-free policy starting 1 March 2024 🎫, delicious food 🍜, vibrant culture 🎎, and incredible futuristic cities 🏙️, China has become the ultimate playground for Thai travellers in 2025. Secondary cities like Chongqing are rising fast, proving that immersive travel is the future of tourism ✨.