Meadin Research: August 2026 Scenic Area Operations Report

Key points

• August cultural tourism policy featured incentives, scenario innovation, service upgrades and digital empowerment, with Jiangsu, Jiangxi and Jiuquan in Gansu activating demand via vouchers and subsidies.
• Chongqing and Hainan stepped up inbound-source competition through inbound consumption and departure tax-refund facilitation policies.
• Changbai Mountain received 993,400 visitors in August, up 20.4% year on year; Daocheng Yading drew 75,600 entries in the first week of free admission, up 31.5%.
• The 5A brand influence top 100 was led by the Palace Museum, Summer Palace, Prince Gong's Mansion, Yungang Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient City and Hengdian World Studios.
• The average brand index for all 5A scenic areas was 208.21 in August, down 0.02% month on month, while the top 100 averaged 264.09, up 0.06%.
• The 4A brand influence top 200 was led by Wansuishan Martial Arts City, Beijing Zoo, Xuzhou Amusement Park, Xinzhou Ancient City and Shanghai Museum.
• September is expected to show falling volumes, rotating demand and early positioning for the two holiday peaks, with an off-peak window in early-mid month and rapid traffic growth late in the month.
• Guangdong allocated RMB 30 million in cultural tourism consumption subsidies for its autumn season, and Guizhou extended vouchers to major A-level scenic areas with 20% ticket discounts.