According to data released by WeChat on August 29， 2025， the enthusiasm for Chinese outbound travel during the summer of 2025 is exceptionally high， as evidenced by the platform’s transaction data.
The “2025 Summer Cross-border Travel WeChat Data Report” (covering July 1 to August 20， 2025) indicates a significant year-on-year increase in cross-border WeChat consumption by Chinese travelers， with the number of transactions growing by 34%.
Exploration of the data reveals that the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions in China emerged as the top destinations for WeChat spending among outbound Chinese tourists， leading in both the volume and value of transactions. This highlights the enduring appeal and accessibility of these regions for domestic travelers.
Beyond these immediate neighbors， Malaysia， South Korea， New Zealand， Australia， various European regions， Singapore， and Japan were identified as the fastest-growing destinations in terms of consumption. This diversification in destination choices reflects a broader trend of Chinese travelers seeking varied experiences， from cultural immersion to natural exploration， during their summer holidays.
The report also sheds light on the increasing trend of two-way travel， with significant activity between Hong Kong and mainland China. Hong Kong users demonstrated a substantial increase in their spending in mainland China， with transaction amounts growing by over 26% during the summer period. This indicates a reciprocal flow of tourism and economic exchange.
For Hong Kong travelers to the mainland， Hangzhou， Xiamen， Suzhou， Xi’an， and Kunming have become newly popular cities for visits. Equally notable is the growing interest in cultural and scenic destinations like Yanbian in Jilin province and Hulunbuir in Inner Mongolia. The data suggests a shift towards more immersive experiences， with in-depth tours of attractions and participation in live performances becoming increasingly favored activities.
The WeChat ecosystem has demonstrably played a crucial role in facilitating these travel and consumption trends. WeChat cross-border payment transactions related to travel surged by 82% over the summer period. Furthermore， the number of active transportation-related mini-programs within WeChat increased by 40% in the first half of the year. Services like the Eurostar high-speed rail have leveraged WeChat mini-programs to create digital experiences tailored to the preferences and habits of Chinese users， simplifying their journey and enhancing convenience.
The scope of WeChat Pay’s integration into overseas consumption scenarios continues to expand. For instance， WeChat Pay usage at small eateries in Singapore’s Lau Pa Sat market saw a more than fivefold increase compared to its initial adoption rates during the summer. Support has also extended to more adventurous activities such as trekking in New Zealand’s pristine forests and skydiving in Melbourne. Additionally， WeChat Pay actively promotes merchant-exclusive exchange rate benefits， further incentivizing its use by international businesses and travelers.
Looking at the broader digital landscape， the number of overseas mini-programs achieving a monthly transaction volume exceeding ten million RMB in the first half of the year doubled year-on-year. This significant growth in the number of high-performing international mini-programs， coupled with a 30% increase in overseas active mini-program service providers， underscores the increasing reliance on and innovation within the WeChat platform for global commerce and user engagement.
