Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news

Well-off residents in Shanghai and Shenzhen, plan to spend 25,000 yuan (US$3,200) per capita on leisure tours next year, according to a survey released by American Express Co yesterday.
The survey targeted 1,220 high-income Chinese who traveled last year and plan to take leisure tours again next year, from eight cities - Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Xi'an. Of the respondents, 88 percent have traveled to domestic cities over the past year, up eight percent from 2005, and 81 percent have traveled overseas, a slight increase from last year's survey.
Leisure tours have become a regular activity, said Zhang Guangrui, director with the tourism research center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Nearly 40 percent of those traveling domestically and 30 percent of those going overseas went for relaxation purposes, with beaches becoming a top priority. Watching performances, tasting local food and shopping are very popular hobbies for these travelers. High-income residents spent 1,420 yuan per capita on shopping last year, up 260 yuan from the previous year, with catering expenses increasing from 920 yuan to 1,120 yuan, and other entertainment expenses from 1,080 yuan to 1,220 yuan.
Two-thirds of interviewees are willing to spend more than 10,000 yuan on traveling next year, with those in Shanghai and Shenzhen the most generous. Those in Hangzhou and Beijing have allotted more than 20,000 yuan per capita for their travel budget next year. Mid-aged people between 50 and 59 will spend an average of 26,152 yuan on traveling next year, almost 10,000 yuan more than people aged 18 to 34.