Hong Kong entrepreneur Chan Shan Shan has developed a passion for horse riding across mainland China, exploring diverse regions such as Guangdong, Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Shanghai over the past five years. Her 50 rides, costing between HK$1,000 and HK$18,000, reflect a growing interest in equestrian tourism, which offers unique access to scenic grasslands and mountains. Chan notes that the rise of equestrian sports has encouraged many travel destinations to incorporate horse riding experiences.

This emerging leisure activity is gaining traction domestically and internationally, with travel platform Trip.com reporting a 27% year-on-year increase in domestic bookings for horse riding tours, especially popular are day trips. Equestrian tourism is valued for opening up scenic and less-explored wilderness areas, and the upcoming Year of the Horse is expected to further boost interest in this adventurous pastime.