Reverse tour makes small cities popular destinations

Tour spots in China have embraced booming tourist crowds in this summer, making it challenging for many travelers to avoid the crowds.

Young tourists have chosen reverse tours mode and random travel as alternatives. Travel is no longer just about visiting attractions and checking off popular spots but instead is deeply integrated with culture, performances, and other activities.

Some prefer reverse tour which means going somewhere less-traveled. Compared to traditional tour mode, traveling to less crowded destinations is cost-effective and more comfortable. "Mangshi city got fewer people but has beautiful scenery. It is suitable for me to avoid crowds during traveling," said Miss. Song, a tourist.

The pagodas in Mangshi city shine. (Photo by Wang Yunya/Yunnan Daily)

Mangshi city is the seat of Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province. It is home to diverse ethnic groups and ethnic customs, including those of the Dai, Jingpo, De'ang, Achang, and Lisu. With its beautiful tropical rainforest scenery and a relaxed way of life, it has become a top choice for young travelers, earning it the title of the number one city for reverse tour on Mafengwo, a tour service website.

In addition to reverse tour, there has been a recent trend on social media platforms called random roulette travel. Instead of planning their trips in advance, young travelers input multiple destinations into a mini program and leave it to chance to decide where they will go.

For the young , the main purpose of travel is to relieve the stress of work and to earn energy back. With the integration of culture and tourism, exhibition-based tours have become new trends, bringing new opportunities for the tourism industry.
Source: Beijing Youth Net; trans-editing by Wang Yunya