Exploring new horizons: Growing elderly population in China embraces 'poetry and faraway places' amid silver economy boom

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By Huang Lanlan (Global Times) 16:15, March 21, 2025

Editor's Note:

With China's population of seniors over 60 surpassing 300 million, ensuring a happy and fulfilling life for all elderly individuals has become a pressing concern for both families and the nation. How can the new generation of seniors in China break away from traditional norms and embrace a different lifestyle, supported by AI technology, multiculturalism, and an elder-friendly society?

The series "Old Age, New Trends" will explore emerging trends in the silver economy, the creative social norms among senior citizens, and innovative eldercare services. It will examine the opportunities and challenges presented by an aging society, highlighting the diverse lifestyles of seniors and the booming eldercare industry in China. Beneath these new trends lies a reflection of Chinese modernization, which aims to provide more secure systems and dignified lives for its senior population.

The morning sun streamed through the curtains. Long Ling opened the window to let in the gentle sea breeze. The 61-year-old then left the hotel with his husband, taking a short stroll to the beach just minutes away. The sun cast a soft orange hue over the water, and Long inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh air.

Coming from an inland city in Central China's Hunan Province, Long and her husband, Tian Mu, 63, embarked on a journey across China after their retirement. In March, they spent a few delightful days in South China's Hainan Province where the island charm of sea, sandy beaches, and swaying coconut trees brought them joy and a sense of novelty.

Thousands of kilometers away, Shanghai residents Zhao and his wife boarded a train bound for nearby city of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province to enjoy the blooming flowers. Onboard, they found themselves among many other elderly passengers in their sixties and seventies, all aboard a special "silver-haired train" arranged by the railway authorities for senior travelers. As they chatted about light-hearted topics and excitedly took selfies, the atmosphere on the train was filled with laughter and camaraderie.

According to data released by the State Council Information Office in January, by the end of 2024, people aged 60 and above in China had surpassed 300 million for the first time, accounting for 22 percent of the country's population. This expanding group of senior citizens is increasingly demanding tailored travel services, presenting new opportunities and higher expectations for China's tourism market. Facing this trend, China unveiled a national-level plan on Sunday to boost consumption, which includes developing silver tourism.

Retirees are emerging as a driving force in China's tourism market, said Peng Xizhe, director of the Fudan Institute on Ageing. "Whether from an economic perspective or a focus on humanistic care, the Chinese tourism industry, along with the government and society, is increasingly dedicated to nurturing the 'poetry and faraway places' that some elderly people yearn for," Peng told the Global Times.

Chasing dreams

Long and Tian had been planning for a long-term travel lifestyle after retiring years ago, and this spring, they finally set off on their journey.

Initially, they intended to spend just a few weeks in Hainan. But one day, while strolling through the streets of Hainan's Wenchang City, they were captivated by an advertisement for a wellness sojourn hotel agency specifically for seniors. The ad said that for just 3,700 yuan ($512), one could stay for 130 nights at the agency's nearly 70 hotel branches or its partner hotels across the country. This package includes three meals a day, and can be shared with family members.

Without much hesitation, Long contacted the agency's branch hotel in Wenchang and quickly made the payment. "I think this model is fantastic," she told the Global Times.

"It's incredibly affordable. Besides, the agency's hotels are spread all over the country, making it perfect for those who like to travel, like me and my husband."

Soon, Long and Tian settled into the agency's hotel branch in Wenchang. In the following weeks, they explored some other cities in Hainan, as well as warm southern provinces like Guangdong and Yunnan, staying at local branches of the hotel agency.

According to Long, each day of their trip is filled with freedom and a leisurely pace. They wake up before 7 am, enjoy breakfast, and then wander nearby. They return to the hotels for lunch, take afternoon naps, and then engage in activities at the hotels like billiards or archery. Most guests at the wellness sojourn hotels are seniors like them, and they sometimes gather to chat or play cards.