China's Spring Festival holiday has ushered in a massive wave of travel, with over 304 million inter-regional passenger trips made on Friday alone, marking the fourth day of the holiday period. This milestone represents the first time this year that daily inter-regional trips have surpassed the 300 million mark, highlighting the significance of family reunions and a boost in tourism across the nation.
According to official data released on Saturday by a special work team overseeing the Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, road travel saw a substantial increase. Trips by road rose by 6.9 percent year on year, reaching 288.44 million journeys on Friday. Rail and air travel also experienced growth, with journeys increasing by 5.3 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively.
The Spring Festival, which fell on January 29 this year, is the most celebrated holiday in China, traditionally marked by family visits and gatherings. This annual travel surge is expected to continue, with projections indicating that a record-breaking 9 billion trips will be made during chunyun in 2025. The current chunyun period runs from January 14 to February 22.
Road trips are anticipated to account for about 80 percent of all inter-regional travel during the holiday season. The increasing popularity of new energy vehicles (NEVs) is notable, as more travelers opt for environmentally friendly options. The widespread availability of charging facilities along China's highways has made it more convenient than ever for NEVs to embark on long-distance journeys.
Railway authorities across various regions have enhanced their services to accommodate the surge in passenger demand. China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. reported that capacity on popular travel routes has been increased, and both station and onboard services have been improved to better meet passenger needs during the chunyun period.
The significant rise in travel during the Spring Festival holiday underscores the enduring importance of family and community in Chinese culture. It also highlights the country's ongoing efforts to support tourism and facilitate smooth and efficient transportation for millions of travelers.
Reference(s):
China's daily trips exceed 300 mln on day 4 of Spring Festival holiday
cgtn.com
