As the annual Spring Festival approaches, millions in China are preparing for the world’s largest human migration known as Chunyun. Spanning 40 days from January 26 to March 5, this period sees a mass movement of people returning to their hometowns to reunite with family and celebrate the Lunar New Year.
In anticipation of the travel surge, China’s railway department has introduced significant upgrades to the official ticket-booking platform, “12306”, enhancing both the website and mobile app to improve the passenger experience.
Enhanced Waitlist Functionality
Starting January 11, the waitlist ticket purchasing feature has been upgraded to offer greater flexibility. Previously, passengers could submit up to two waitlist orders; now, they can submit up to six, with each order accommodating up to nine passengers. This change allows travelers to increase their chances of securing tickets on fully booked trains.
More Travel Options
Passengers can now select any three travel dates during the pre-sale period and choose from up to 60 combinations of dates and trains. With multiple seating options available, including business-class, first-class, and second-class seats, the upgraded system caters to diverse preferences and needs, making travel planning more convenient.
Flexible Confirmation Deadlines
The deadline for confirming waitlist orders has been reduced, providing passengers with more time to secure their tickets. In 2022, the confirmation deadline was adjusted from six hours to two hours before departure. This year, it has been further reduced to just 20 minutes before departure, allowing for last-minute travel arrangements.
Simplified Ticket Changes
From January 15, passengers will benefit from optimized regulations regarding ticket changes. The new policy permits travelers to modify their tickets on the days leading up to the train’s departure and even on the day following the train’s departure, offering unprecedented flexibility for those with changing plans.
These enhancements reflect China’s commitment to improving transportation services during the Spring Festival travel rush, ensuring passengers experience smoother and more efficient journeys as they return home for the holidays.
Reference(s):
Changes in buying tickets for this year's Spring Festival travel
cgtn.com
