Affordable adventures

Spending weekends on a low budget has become a popular trend among Chinese youth.

According to data from Meituan and Dianping, popular lifestyle and review platforms in China, searches for "trial classes" saw an impressive 364 percent increase from July to September this year compared to the previous three months.

These classes range from sports like tennis and street dance to niche activities like candle making and drama performances. Many netizens refer to these affordable trial classes as "economical alternatives to night schools" — a new way to enrich their weekends.

On Dianping, trial classes priced at 9.9 yuan ($1.4) are generally available for first-time customers by reservation, limited to one-time use. Some restrictions may apply, such as weekday-only availability or specific time slots.

Although low-cost, these trial classes are often high quality, as businesses aim to attract new customers and encourage them to enroll in regular courses or memberships.

A manager at a dance studio in Shanghai told DT Business Observation, the digital account of financial news magazine Yicai, "With an average monthly turnout of over 200 for trial classes, 30 to 40 percent of these new customers eventually sign up for regular courses."

Businesses know that pushing young people too hard can backfire — they may feel pressured and decide not to return. But a great first experience, even if it doesn't lead to a membership, can turn them into unofficial brand ambassadors, spreading favorable feedback on review and lifestyle platforms.