China's train ticket booking platform 12306 has achieved a remarkable milestone by selling 214 million tickets for the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush as of 9 a.m. Monday, reports the country's railway operator.
As the travel period enters its seventh day, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. anticipates approximately 13.45 million railway trips nationwide. To meet this surging demand, the company is deploying an additional 862 trains, ensuring smoother and more efficient travel for millions.
The Spring Festival travel rush, known locally as chunyun, symbolizes the start of the new year in the Chinese lunar calendar and is celebrated as the largest human migration on the planet. This year's chunyun commenced on January 14 and is slated to conclude on February 22.
Adding to the significance, this year marks China's first chunyun since the Spring Festival was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in December last year. This recognition underscores the cultural and social importance of the festival, highlighting its role in fostering familial bonds and cultural continuity across generations.
Reference(s):
Over 200 mln train tickets sold for 2025 Spring Festival travel rush
cgtn.com
