A night view of the Tonglu service area. [Photo/Tide News]

Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, recorded 21.88 billion yuan ($3.26 billion) in consumption across wholesale, retail, catering, accommodation, and entertainment from Sept 30 to Oct 6, up 1.3 percent year-on-year, as immersive tourism, technology-driven attractions, and trade-in subsidies brought new momentum to the holiday market.

One notable trend was the transformation of highway service areas into tourism destinations. Tonglu service area along the G25 Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway received 545,000 visits during the holiday, up 32.65 percent year-on-year, while revenue surged 94.74 percent. With 53 brands, cultural experiences, performances, and dining options, the 41,700-square-meter complex has evolved beyond a conventional roadside stop.

Technology also drew crowds. In Xihu district, the Wensan Digital Life District hosted China's first human-robot interactive technology sports event, receiving more than 20,000 visits in three days and generating nearly 1 million yuan in revenue. Yichuang Town used the video game Black Myth: Wukongas the theme for challenges, cosplay parades, and merchandise sales, lifting holiday foot traffic by 35 percent year-on-year.

Trade-in programs remained another key driver. Hangzhou redeemed 236 million yuan in subsidies, supporting 3.54 billion yuan in related sales.

Automobile purchases accounted for 110 million yuan in subsidies. The Hangzhou auto show in Xiaoshan district received more than 296,000 visits and recorded 11,226 vehicle orders worth over 2.5 billion yuan.