Single solution to rise of 'solo economy'

Traveling alone

The solo lifestyle rise is also reflected in how young people travel.

According to a 2024 paper jointly published by iClick Interactive and Qunar, 62.3 percent of frequent travelers in China prefer solo or independent travel over organized group tours, based on Qunar's 2023 travel data.

Xue Xue, a graduate of a Chinese university and a UK master's degree holder, has spent much of the past year and a half traveling alone across China after leaving her job in the financial sector. During that period, she has visited around 30 cities.

The 29-year-old occasionally returns home to rest and be with her parents.

Her first solo trip was to Changsha, Hunan province, in 2022. She said she felt constrained after long periods of work and pandemic-related isolation. "I just felt like I needed to get out, and traveling alone felt natural. I already enjoyed being alone in daily life," said Xue.

One of her most memorable experiences came in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, where she walked among flowering trees in spring and was unexpectedly moved to tears.

"I felt a sense of freedom and vitality I hadn't experienced in a long time. That moment felt like the real me," she said.

Her extended stays include Dali, Yunnan province, where she experienced the slower rhythms of life and different ways of living.

Xue said solo travel allows her to fully focus on her own needs and emotions without accommodating other people. That freedom, however, comes at a price as solo travel is not always cheaper.

Accommodation is often more expensive as she prefers hotels and cannot split costs, while food can be more costly without group discounts.

"In many places, especially smaller cities, there are no true single-person portions, so I often end up paying more if I want to try different dishes," she said.

However, Xue said some tourism services are gradually adapting to solo travelers, including restaurants that offer half-portions or single-person meals, as well as group tour products designed for individual travelers.

"These services are especially helpful for solo female travelers, as they make it easier to reach places that would otherwise be difficult to access alone," she said.