China is poised for a massive surge in travel as more than 250 million inter-regional trips are expected on Thursday, marking the 10th day of the Spring Festival travel rush, known locally as chunyun. This annual migration sees millions journeying to their hometowns to reunite with family, creating one of the world's largest human movements.
According to data released by the transportation authorities of the special force for the 2025 chunyun, the number of inter-regional trips on Thursday is estimated to reach an astounding 256.57 million. Breaking down the numbers, approximately 13.2 million passenger trips will be made by rail, 240.31 million by highway, 680,000 by waterways, and 2.38 million by civil aviation.
Wednesday's figures reflect this upward trend, with 233.86 million inter-regional trips made across the country—an increase of 1.4 percent from the previous day and a significant 14.9 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
Overall, about 9 billion inter-regional trips are expected during the 2025 chunyun, representing a 7 percent year-on-year increase, as reported during a national teleconference held at the end of December.
The Spring Festival travel rush is a critical period for China's transportation sector, stretching from January 14 to February 22 in 2025. It underscores the immense logistical efforts required to accommodate the vast number of travelers seeking to spend the Lunar New Year with loved ones.
This year's chunyun holds special significance as it is the first since UNESCO inscribed the Spring Festival on its intangible cultural heritage list in December. The recognition highlights the festival's importance not only to Chinese culture but also to the world's cultural tapestry.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Over 250m trips expected on Day 10 of Spring Festival travel rush
cgtn.com
