Summary of Key Points
In recent years, extreme weather events such as typhoons, heavy rains, high temperatures, and sudden snowfalls have become increasingly frequent. These not only cause numerous travel disruptions for tourists ( cancellations, getaways, and even dangers) but also result in significant losses for tourism operators, including damaged facilities and forced closures of attractions and homestays. Some businesses have even gone bankrupt. At the same time, travelers' preferences are changing, with a growing tendency towards safer and cooler destinations. The entire tourism industry is being compelled to adapt to this new reality of "normalized extreme weather."
Tourists: From "Bad Luck" to "Compulsory Emergency Preparedness"
In the past, encountering extreme weather might have been seen as mere bad luck, but now it has become a standard risk in travel. For example, Jiao Yan and her family have faced typhoons like "Litchi Ma" in 2019 and "Bai Haidun" in 2026, as well as multiple instances of heavy rains and sudden snowfalls. Regardless of the weather forecast, they always pack raincoats, sturdy umbrellas, and thick coats when they go out. They no longer wonder if something might go wrong; instead, they focus on what to do if it does.
Many tourists have had even worse experiences. Wang Xue's family's river cruise on the Danube was turned into a grueling land journey due to low water levels caused by drought in Europe, with elderly passengers taking heart medicine and children falling ill. Chen Di was awakened by the owner of a homestay in Zhenyuan, Guizhou, as floods were approaching. Zhang Li experienced a sudden downpour while driving in Hulunbuir, and it was only thanks to the guide that they escaped danger. Extreme weather has shifted from being merely annoying to being life-threatening—25 people were swept away by a mountain flood at the Shuangshimen scenic spot in Gansu, and a 16-year-old boy had to cling to a tree for half an hour before being rescued.
Attractions & Homestays: Facing a Critical Test from Extreme Weather
The impact of extreme weather on attractions is devastating:
- Direct Destruction of Facilities: The tropical rainforest cultivated by the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park for 28 years was destroyed by 99% by Typhoon "Capricorn," and it will take 10 years to recover. All facilities in Shidu Town, Beijing, were washed away during a flood in 2023, and it took three years to rebuild. A water park in Qingyuan, Guangdong, was destroyed by heavy rains just three days after opening, resulting in losses of 30 million yuan.
- Forced Closures or Bankruptcy: The Salihu scenic spot in Liaoning had to close temporarily due to heavy rainfall. The 5A-level Shuidonggou scenic spot in Ningxia went bankrupt and underwent restructuring as it faced both heavy rains and a debt crisis, becoming the first 5A-level attraction in the northwest to do so. At the Guigang Zoo, floods killed three lions and hundreds of animals, leaving daily feed costs unaffordable and making reconstruction impossible.
Homestays are also not spared: A homestay in Wenchang, Hainan, had to close for a month due to a typhoon, resulting in a loss of 700,000 yuan. The owner of a homestay in Shidu simply chose not to operate during the flood season to ensure safety.
However, some attractions are taking proactive measures: Pingyu Village in Shidu installed eight solar cameras to monitor for mountain floods and can alert tourists in real-time. The Wulaofeng scenic spot in Shanxi decided to close from August to October to avoid the flood season, sacrificing peak-season revenue but prioritizing safety.
Changing Travel Preferences: Tourists "Voting with Their Feet," Moving Towards Safety and Coolness
Extreme weather has changed how travelers make decisions:
- Risk Assessment Before Choosing a Destination: According to Booking.com, 74% of tourists now consider extreme weather risks, especially in the Asia-Pacific region (where 79% do so), and 44% alter their travel plans due to climate-related events. For instance, many tourists who booked tickets to Dunhuang canceled them due to the high temperatures.
- Seeking Cooler Destinations: Searches for cave tours (with constant temperatures between 12-18°C) have increased by 100%. Bookings for lesser-known summer resorts like Liupanshui and Shennongjia have doubled, and Nordic countries (Norway, Iceland) have become new favorites for European travelers.
- Turning to Indoor Activities: Searches for "indoor ice skating" and "indoor skiing" in Shanghai have increased by over 100%. Parents take their children to indoor ski resorts where they can enjoy skiing in down jackets despite outdoor temperatures of 40°C.
The Underlying Reason: Extreme Weather is Not Accidental, but a Result of Climate Change
These incidents are not coincidences. According to the China Meteorological Administration's "Climate Change Blue Book," extreme heat and heavy rainfall events have increased significantly since the 21st century. In July 2026, the national average temperature was 1.3°C higher than usual, with 40 weather stations recording record-breaking temperatures. The number of typhoons also increased from six in 2023 to ten in 2025, a nearly 70% rise.
Expert Chen Lijuan from the National Climate Center warns that if greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled, such extreme events will become more common. This means that the tourism industry will have to adapt to a situation where extreme weather is the new norm.
Conclusion
Extreme weather is reshaping the tourism industry: Tourists are becoming more prepared, while attractions must either learn to coexist with these conditions (by installing monitoring systems and closing during flood seasons) or face extinction. In the summer of 2027, typhoons and heavy rains may continue to occur, but both the industry and tourists will gradually adapt. After all, as nature's behavior changes, so must we.