‘Post-Gaokao Economy’ sparks spending boom
2025-07-02 20:07:28
By Hu Yikai.
Following the 2025 Gaokao (China's national college entrance exam), Yichang is seeing a surge in consumer activity across tourism, electronics, and skills training.
Travel Market：
Since June 10, high school graduates have been busy booking vacations, with peak travel expected between July 10 to August 20. According to a staff member at Hubei Shunda Travel Agency, popular destinations include Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, and Dalian. Most students are opting for group tours or family customized trips. For them, travel eases the stress and marks a new chapter in their life.
Digital Products:
Driven by a strong demand and national subsidies, consumer electronics stores are seeing significantly more students and parents. According to staff, computer sales have jumped by 50 percent from a year ago, and mobile phone sales have increased by 30 percent. Huawei, Apple, and Honor phones are top choices, as are high-end laptops from Lenovo, Huawei, and Honor. Stores are offering discounts, and a new sales peak is expected by late August.
Skills Training:
Driving schools across Yichang are experiencing a spike in enrollment. Over 1,000 high school graduates, making up roughly 90 percent of new students, have signed up, said Zhang Chen, principal of Jishun Driving School's Wujiagang campus. Li Siyao, one such student, said she wanted to use this holiday to get her license and build new skills. Other popular choices include tennis, fitness and body building, vision correction, and orthodontic services.
Ma Lin contributed to this story.
Following the 2025 Gaokao (China's national college entrance exam), Yichang is seeing a surge in consumer activity across tourism, electronics, and skills training.
Travel Market：
Since June 10, high school graduates have been busy booking vacations, with peak travel expected between July 10 to August 20. According to a staff member at Hubei Shunda Travel Agency, popular destinations include Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, and Dalian. Most students are opting for group tours or family customized trips. For them, travel eases the stress and marks a new chapter in their life.
High school graduates consulting travel itineraries. Photo by Xu Hao.
Digital Products:
Driven by a strong demand and national subsidies, consumer electronics stores are seeing significantly more students and parents. According to staff, computer sales have jumped by 50 percent from a year ago, and mobile phone sales have increased by 30 percent. Huawei, Apple, and Honor phones are top choices, as are high-end laptops from Lenovo, Huawei, and Honor. Stores are offering discounts, and a new sales peak is expected by late August.
High school graduates selecting mobile phones. Photo by Xu Hao.
Skills Training:
Driving schools across Yichang are experiencing a spike in enrollment. Over 1,000 high school graduates, making up roughly 90 percent of new students, have signed up, said Zhang Chen, principal of Jishun Driving School's Wujiagang campus. Li Siyao, one such student, said she wanted to use this holiday to get her license and build new skills. Other popular choices include tennis, fitness and body building, vision correction, and orthodontic services.
High school graduates undergoing driving simulation training on indoor simulators. Photo by Xu Hao.
Ma Lin contributed to this story.
