Splurging is surging

A growing number of Chinese travelers are willing to spend big bucks to make the most of their trips, Xu Lin reports.

Wang Wei scours the internet in search of the best dining and shopping places when developing travel plans.

The 29-year-old office worker from Beijing made a reservation for a Michelin-starred restaurant with an average price of over 1,000 yuan ($140) per person before visiting Japan. She spent about 30,000 yuan on luxury bags and shoes in Italy. She plans to visit museums and galleries, and watch flamenco performances during her upcoming trip to Spain.

"I live it up when traveling as a reward for working hard. I want to have quality experiences during vacations," she explains.

"The trips broaden my horizons. I watch movies and read books about destinations before trips. But you can only start to understand local lifestyles and cultures after arrival."