Oh, the Places We Go! Domestic Travel in the Time of COVID

Original Hannah Feldshuh theBeijinger

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The COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically changed travel and tourism practices, with implications for tourists, airlines, and businesses. Gatwick airport, one of the UK’s international hubs, reported that passenger numbers decreased by two-thirds (14.7 million) in the first half of 2020. American Airlines, meanwhile, stated that it intends to cut 19,000 jobs when federal funding ends in October.

Despite this rather grim picture for international air travel, domestic trips in China have rebounded. A recent survey found that domestic arrivals at Chinese airports returned to 86 percent of 2019 figures. Promotional packages and widespread price cuts are among the elements encouraging this recovery, which are very much welcome as we near the October holiday break. The island province of Hainan has proven a particularly hot spot, attracting both locals and foreign travelers alike.

So, what have your fellow Beijing neighbors done to escape the city and take advantage of opportunities to travel? Let’s find out.

Meet Calvin, the coolest debate coach in town. When COVID hit, Calvin – along with the rest of us – made drastic changes to his normal international travel plans. The continued uncertainty around border closures and travel restrictions have encouraged him to explore attractions within China.

Kindle on the beach? That's the Hainan lifestyle.

What adventures awaited Calvin? He and his girlfriend embraced the sand and sea in Sanya. His take: Hainan’s beaches are highly recommended – relaxing on the beach and eating good food always makes for a great vacation. In addition, as Hainan is still in its off-peak season, there were very few tourists to disrupt chill beach and pool time – as Calvin notes, truly an introvert’s dream.

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How, you might wonder, did Calvin adjust his domestic travel plans in face of COVID restrictions? Logistics were on the brain as he made a variety of travel decisions. He notes that technical and visa barriers were among the most prominent. Some questions of inconvenience included: Will my health kit work? Will foreigners be allowed into all areas and hotels?

Sarah and Andrew out sighting rocks – and big ones!

Next up – enter Sarah and Andrew, fearless travelers who earn the title of “Forever Fighting Over the Aisle Seat.” This globe-trotting couple has a long history of embracing travel – having first met in Uganda and frequently taken trips as they dated and later married. For Sarah and Andrew, COVID-19 served as an important reminder that the ability to travel isn’t something to be taken for granted. These challenges have been compounded by the uncertainty around when we will be able to see our family and friends in the US again. In addition to plans of hosting various friends from the US, several stops on their adventure budget were scrapped in face of COVID-19 restrictions.

However, as the epidemic situation has stabilized in China, they have embraced opportunities to explore China destinations they may not otherwise have made time for. COVID-19 has forced us to take into consideration a broader range of criteria when deciding whether to travel. However, there is a certain urgency to take advantage of the opportunities we have now for travel because it is difficult to know whether circumstances will change suddenly or unexpectedly.

After being stranded for months, travelers are finally getting their just deserts

In August, they finally jumped on the opportunity to leave Beijing and spent a week in Gansu, fulfilling a longstanding goal to explore the “Rainbow Rocks” outside of Zhangye. Also in August, aisle seat contender Sarah spent a fun girls’ weekend on the beach in Qingdao, while Andrew explored the bonsai gardens of Suzhou with a friend. Like many other foreigners in China who are unable to travel internationally at the moment, in September, they gave in to the desire for a beach holiday and spent several days in Sanya, Hainan, where the hardest decision they encountered was whether to eat dinner at 5pm or 6pm.

Ready to embark on some China adventures of your own? Here are some of our intrepid travelers’ recommendations:

Gansu: The Rainbow Rocks are stunning and such a fascinating park from a geological perspective. Generally speaking, Gansu is a great place to visit if you enjoy a relaxed pace of life, lamb, noodles, and mountainous scenery that is quite different from the landscape more familiar to us in the eastern part of China. Gansu’s landscape is, in fact, reminiscent of the Western US.
Qingdao: The architecture is very reminiscent of Western Europe and it was so refreshing to see small homes with a nice front yard and lots of trees. On top of that, the beautiful beaches and ample amounts of seafood does not hurt. Sarah’s words of wisdom: If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway from Beijing, Qingdao is a solid option.
Hainan: As Calvin notes above, Hainan is an ideal choice for travelers that wish they could make it to sunny, sand-filled Southeast Asia, but can’t. It’s got tropical rain forests, beautiful ocean views and beaches, and tourist-oriented services. Between the coconut chicken hot pot and ample tropical sweet treats, you’ll also have a variety of culinary options to enjoy.
Wutai Mountain, Shanxi Province: Ready for abundant Buddhist shrines? Idyllic high mountains? Lush beautiful greenery? Then look no further than Wutai Mountain, the Shanxi gem you’ve probably never heard of. It’s known as a cradle of Buddhism and offers ample hiking terrain and opportunities for amateur photography.

For one last pro tip from Sarah and Andrew – if you are looking for something a bit closer to home, the mountains surrounding Beijing city center offer ample room to explore. Most organized hiking trips are between one and two hours from the city center and involve a trek through the mountain scenery in places like Yanqing district or Pinggu County.