A new travel trend known as the "boomerang ticket" is gaining traction on Chinese social media, as travelers discover that flying via a distant third city can be cheaper than traveling directly — turning a layover into a short sightseeing trip.

Lu, a 28-year-old mother from Jiangyin in Jiangsu province, recently used the strategy to travel with her husband to nearby Changzhou. Instead of taking a direct train or car journey of about 40 kilometers, the couple flew via Beijing, where they spent nearly two days exploring the capital.

The round-trip tickets, which included a 47-hour stopover, cost 579 yuan ($83) per person, Lu said. She asked to be identified by her surname only and noted that the fare was lower than many direct options. During the layover, the couple visited major landmark sites, including the Palace Museum.

"Night biking around Tian'anmen Square was a first for me, and it made our anniversary celebration really special," Lu said.

Known as a "boomerang ticket", the booking strategy has become increasingly popular among young travelers, allowing them to visit an additional city at a fraction of the cost of a direct return fare.

Industry insiders say the trend reflects a growing preference for value-for-money travel.

Li Gaochao, assistant general manager of Shanxi Baohua International Travel Service in Shanxi province, said travelers now have more choices and greater price transparency through both online and offline channels, making cost-effective itineraries more appealing.

"As cities step up efforts to promote culture and tourism, many have emerged as popular destinations with social media-friendly attractions," Li said. "Young travelers, eager to make the most of limited time, are choosing these routes to fit in an extra city along the way."

Li cautioned, however, that travelers should be aware of potential risks. "When booking, it is best to choose flights operated by the same airline or covered by an interline agreement," he said. "If a delay on the first leg causes you to miss your connection, the airline will take responsibility for arranging an alternative flight."

Industry experts say the trend is also linked to recent reforms in China's civil aviation sector.

Lin Zhijie, an expert with the China Air Transport Association, said airlines have expanded domestic transfer services by linking regional routes with major hubs and sharing spare capacity. This has created more flight combinations at lower prices while improving seat occupancy rates, he said in an interview with China News Service.

Lin added that shorter travel times and lower costs have encouraged people to travel more frequently, particularly on weekends.

"Travelers who might previously have stayed at home can now fit in a brief city break without taking time off work," he said, adding it helps generate new demand for travel and tourism consumption.

Online travel platforms have also helped fuel the trend. Data from online travel platform Fliggy show that searches for "boomerang tickets" rose 95 percent month-on-month in December. The average price for a one-way boomerang ticket booked since December was about 356 yuan, 44 percent lower than standard fares during the same period.

After enjoying what she described as an intense yet delightful trip in Beijing, Lu is already planning her next journeys.

"I want to use such flights to try hotpot in Chongqing, see the sea in Dalian, Liaoning province, and explore the northwest in Lanzhou, Gansu province," she said.