Adventure travel grows in popularity among Chinese

China's per capita disposable income was 49.7 yuan in 1949 but reached 28,228 yuan ($4,050) in 2018, an increase of nearly 60 times in real terms after inflation.

As Chinese tourists become wealthier and more experienced, there is a growing desire to explore the world and try more adventurous activities, from African safaris to polar adventures.

Adventure travel is a kind of niche tourism, which includes numerous activities such as caving, climbing, cycling and hiking.

Market consulting firm Allied Market Research estimated that the global adventure tourism market was valued at $586 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach around $1.63 trillion in 2026.

"Chinese travelers are playing an increasingly important role in the global adventure tourism economy," said Han Bo, chairman of the China Adventure Association.

According to a report released by the association, there are 130 million to 170 million people on the Chinese mainland participating in outdoor adventures, with annual growth of around 15 percent.

Among them, the number earning an income from adventure travel reached 60 million. More than 100,000 enterprises are dedicated to providing services for adventure seekers, the report said.

"Only a few Chinese such as scientists and archaeologists were engaged in adventure travel in the past," Han said, adding that more ordinary and uninhibited people aged between 15 and 60 have now joined them to explore the unknown.