Chinese go to Thailand, Russia for long holiday

More Chinese tourists are expected to travel overseas during next week's extra-long Lunar New Year break, with top destinations ranging from Russia and Australia to Thailand and South Korea, travel agencies say, but Japan has lost some sheen.

- JULIE ZHU SOPHIE YU

A folk performer breathes fire during a performance ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations in a village in Huai'an, Jiangsu province, on Saturday AFP

(AFP)

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is one of China's longest holidays, running for nine days this year from Feb 15, or a day longer than usual, to usher in the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

Millions traditionally head home for family reunions during this time, boosting spending in shops, cinemas and restaurants as families nationwide and overseas celebrate together.

China expects a record 9.5 billion passenger trips during the accompanying 40-day travel rush, up from 9.02 billion last year, as officials hope this year's longer event spurs more holidaymakers to make domestic visits or venture abroad.

"Thailand has returned to being the top outbound destination thanks to its weather, when most parts of China remain cold," said Zhou Weihong, of Shanghai-based Spring Tour, the travel unit of budget carrier Spring Airlines.