The Spring Festival, China's most significant celebration focused on family reunions, has witnessed remarkable growth in 2024.
According to big data analysis from telecommunications operator China Mobile, the number of people returning home in China this year has increased by 23 percent compared to the same period last year.
On February 9, the eve of the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, railway passenger numbers dropped by approximately 40 percent from the previous day. This decline is attributed to many travelers having already returned home or commenced their journeys, as reported by an official ticketing platform.
February 8 saw a high volume of 12.9 million railway passengers. By February 9, over 170 million people had traveled by train during the Spring Festival travel rush, known as chunyun in Chinese.
The Ministry of Transport anticipates that the 40-day travel period, starting January 26, will reach a record high of 9 billion cross-regional passenger trips. The peak travel flow is expected on the fourth day of the Chinese Spring Festival, according to China Mobile's analysis.
Chunyun represents the world's largest annual human migration, highlighting the immense movement of people across the country during this festive period.
Additionally, China Mobile's data indicates that the average distance traveled by individuals returning home for the Spring Festival is 509 kilometers, reflecting the widespread nature of these journeys.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
