Direct air connections between the two countries surged to 61 flights weekly this summer, doubling the pre-pandemic levels.

Spain has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists traveling abroad during China's National Day holiday week, according to data from online travel agency Trip.com.

The eight-day "golden week" holiday, which runs from Oct. 1 to 8 and coincides this year with China's traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, has driven a sharp rise in outbound travel.

Flights from China to Spain are up 53 percent compared with last year, Trip.com said, with Barcelona and Madrid remaining the most popular cities. Demand is also expanding beyond traditional hubs, with bookings to Ronda surging 98 percent and to Cordoba 83 percent, reflecting a growing interest in the country's wider culture and heritage.

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen

Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong