China's railway network achieved an unprecedented milestone with 726 million passenger trips recorded in the first two months of 2025 – a 4.7% year-on-year surge marking the highest volume since records began. The China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. attributed this historic peak to heightened Spring Festival travel demand and a robust post-pandemic tourism revival.
The annual Lunar New Year migration saw students, workers, and families crisscrossing the country while leisure travelers explored cultural sites. Railway authorities responded by deploying 11,605 daily passenger trains, an 8.7% capacity increase from 2024. Strategic infrastructure upgrades enabled seamless transfers at 120 key stations and expanded meal ordering services at 89 hubs.
Cross-border connectivity also flourished: the China-Laos Railway transported 59,000 international passengers (+57.9% YoY), while routes to Mongolia and Russia maintained stable operations. These corridors are increasingly vital for regional tourism and economic collaboration across Asia.
