Moscow has been the most popular choice－the number of hotel bookings in Moscow soared over 10 times compared with the same period last year. Hotels near soccer stadiums have nearly sold out, and about only 10 percent of hotels in other areas still have empty rooms, according to Ctrip.
Hotel prices in Moscow, where the final game will be held, have soared as much as 200 percent. In St. Petersburg, host of the semifinal game, the volume of hotel bookings surged more than five times year-on-year. The average price of a hotel per night in those cities is above 1,000 yuan ($156), Ctrip said.
Moreover, Chinese tourists have already spent big on World Cup trips, laying out amounts from thousands of yuan to nearly a million.
Average spending reached 50,000 yuan on Ctrip alone, with the top spender so far, who is from Xiamen, Fujian province, having spent about 850,000 yuan on the trip.
Notably, 57 percent of the fans are female, which appears to show an increase in female soccer fans in China, officials said.
"I see my friends show off their airline tickets to Russia or World Cup souvenirs basically every day on social media," said Ge Siwen, a dedicated soccer fan who has already spent a lot on jerseys and other soccer paraphernalia.
"Things have changed. In times past, we didn't have money to spend on the World Cup, and it was too far away. But this time, the World Cup is so close and not that expensive.
"The World Cup is huge even to those in China who are not familiar with soccer. It's becoming a hot topic in China and if you know nothing about it or you never talk about it, you will be a joke among your friends."
Ticket sales
World Cup official hospitality packages that include tickets have been hot commodities in China. They include additional services in seating, catering and transportation.
Beijing Shankai Sports International Ltd, China's only FIFA-authorized sales agency, has sold about 10,000 ticket packages with different levels of hospitality services since last fall. It reached over 100 million yuan in revenue, tripling the sales of similar packages for the Union of European Football Associations championship in 2016.
China has become the second biggest buyer of official World Cup hospitality services after Russia, according to Shankai Sports.
"It appeals greatly to China's affluent fans to enjoy a match in reserved prime seats at each stadium, coupled with special offerings of food and services, which redefines the premier match-watching experience in comfort and style," said Zheng Lai, vice-president of Shankai.
"With or without their national team, Chinese fans' passion for the tournament and their interest in going to the World Cup to watch their favorite players in the flesh is always strong," he said.
Shankai provides five levels of packages, ranging from $850 to $24,900, for fans in China.
"I've already bought a ticket for each of four World Cup group matches, costing about 700 yuan for each game," said Qi Duanhua, a Chinese student studying in Russia.
"I will go with two or three of my friends. I never thought the World Cup would be this close to me. I bought tickets for the group match between Germany vs Mexico. If I had to pick one, I hope Germany could defend its title."
Time no problem
For fans very far from Russia and those who cannot get away from their jobs, the World Cup is a must-watch on TV and the internet.
Unlike with many championships, Chinese fans don't have to wait until the wee hours to watch the action. While the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil had fans up at odd hours, the Russian edition has blessed Chinese fans with only a five-hour time difference between Moscow and Beijing.
"Finally, my friends and I don't have to stay up all night to watch the World Cup," said Zhu Zimu, an English teacher and soccer fan. "I still have to work during the World Cup, so I cannot go to Russia. However, unlike before, I'm not worried about watching the live broadcast of the games.
"The time difference is acceptable, so I can enjoy game after game with my friends. It will also be more convenient if we want to go a bar, and I don't have to worry about being too sleepy at work the next day."
It's also good news for restaurants around China, which have already planned all sorts of discounts and activities to attract fans to watch live broadcasts while enjoying food and drink.
The timing is perfect for crawfish restaurant Daxialaile because the soccer championship coincides with the best season for its specialty food.
"The World Cup from June to July is made for crawfish," said Dai Jinsheng, CEO of Daxialaile. "To meet the demand of World Cup fans, we will provide them with a special environment including themed decoration and large-screen television. Also, a special crawfish and beer combo meal and discount will also be arranged. Other activities and games are also expected."
