As the week-long National Day holiday draws to a close, China's railway network is experiencing an unprecedented surge in return trips. On Sunday alone, an estimated 18.73 million train journeys are expected, marking a significant peak in travel as millions of residents make their way back home or to work.
To accommodate this massive movement of people, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. has scheduled over 1,400 additional trains. The operator reports that for six consecutive days since the holiday rush began, daily passenger numbers have exceeded 17 million, highlighting the sustained high demand during this festive period.
By 9 a.m. Sunday, more than 155 million tickets had been sold through China's official railway ticket-booking platforms, including the website 12306.cn and its mobile app. This reflects the immense scale of travel during the \"Golden Week,\" a period synonymous with nationwide journeys for family reunions and tourism.
Railway authorities across the country have been proactive in ensuring smooth and efficient travel. Extra trains have been added on popular routes, and capacity has been boosted to manage the surge. Local stations have enhanced services by streamlining entry and exit processes, aiming to provide safe and orderly returns for passengers.
The National Day holiday, which this year spans from September 29 to October 8, is a peak travel season in the Chinese mainland. The railway network is expected to handle a staggering 175 million passenger trips over the 10-day period, underscoring the importance of rail transport in connecting cities and regions across the country.
The surge in travel not only reflects the strong domestic demand but also signals a robust recovery in mobility and economic activities. For business professionals, investors, and market analysts, these figures may indicate positive trends in consumer confidence and spending within the Chinese mainland.
As millions embark on their journeys home, the railway system's ability to handle such volumes efficiently is a testament to the advancements in China's transportation infrastructure. For global readers and news enthusiasts, this event showcases the scale and coordination involved in managing one of the world's largest mass mobilizations of people during a holiday period.
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China's railways seeing surge in return trips as holiday nears end
cgtn.com
