Millions spread their wings as overseas travel takes off

Airbnd saw a 700 percent growth in number of Chinese to book rooms.[Photo/China Dailu]

The main expenses are for air tickets, accommodation, tour guides, transportation, visa fees and insurance, said Dai Yu, marketing director of Ctrip.

Some self-guided tourists also like to spend a lot on unique experiences, such as hot-air balloon rides in New Zealand, opera in London or whale watching in Hawaii, Dai said, adding that during Golden Week, Chinese get into a generous holiday mood.

Statistics from Mafengwo.cn, a tourism information-sharing website, showed that online bookings per capita for overseas independent trips was up 30 percent to 6,800 yuan this year.