The Chinese mainland experienced an unprecedented surge in travel during the Spring Festival holiday, with over 304 million inter-regional passenger trips recorded on Friday, the fourth day of the festivities. This annual tradition, known locally as chunyun, is the largest human migration in the world, as families across the nation reunite and tourism receives a significant boost.
According to official data released on Saturday, the milestone of 300 million daily trips was surpassed for the first time this year. The increase underscores the continued importance of chunyun in China's social and economic landscape.
Travel trends during this period show a notable rise across various modes of transportation. Road trips surged by 6.9 percent year-on-year, reaching 288.44 million trips on Friday alone. Meanwhile, rail and air journeys climbed 5.3 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively, reflecting a balanced demand for different travel options.
Looking ahead, projections indicate that chunyun could see a record-breaking 9 billion trips by 2025. The travel surge for the upcoming year is expected to span from January 14 to February 22, aligning with the traditional Spring Festival dates.
A significant highlight of this travel boom is the dominance of road trips, which are anticipated to account for approximately 80 percent of all inter-regional journeys. The rise of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has played a pivotal role in this trend, with enhanced charging infrastructure along highways making NEV travel more convenient than ever.
In response to the soaring travel demand, railway authorities have ramped up capacity on the most popular routes and improved station and train services. China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. emphasized their commitment to meeting passenger needs and ensuring smooth operations during the chunyun period.
The Spring Festival holiday not only fosters family reunions but also acts as a catalyst for tourism and economic activity, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the Chinese mainland’s transportation network.
Reference(s):
China's daily trips exceed 300 mln on day 4 of Spring Festival holiday
cgtn.com
