The 2025 Spring Festival travel rush, known as Chunyun, concluded on Saturday with unprecedented numbers, underscoring a significant surge in travel activity and the evolving dynamics of China's mobility landscape.
This year witnessed exceptional travel demand. Over the span of 40 days, an estimated nine billion trips were undertaken, marking the highest passenger volume in history. Both railways and civil aviation surpassed previous passenger records, while maritime travel also reached new heights with over 500 million domestic trips. This surge highlights not only the increasing mobility within China but also the expanding reach of its transportation networks.
New travel habits and trends emerged prominently during this period. The extended eight-day holiday led to a notable increase in both domestic and international tourism. The addition of an extra day to the holiday allowed more individuals to balance family reunions with travel plans. Fang Ying from Lanzhou, Gansu Province, expressed her excitement: \"The longer holiday gave me the chance to visit my family and take a skiing trip to Japan.\"
The spike in travel activity also fueled economic growth, reflecting China's vibrant economy. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the domestic tourism market saw a 5.9-percent year-on-year increase, with 501 million domestic trips made during the holiday period from January 28 to February 4. Total spending on domestic tourism reached 677 billion yuan ($93.4 billion), a 7-percent increase from the previous year and a 31.7-percent jump from 2019, highlighting the sustained vitality of China's tourism sector.
Cultural experiences and traditional activities garnered significant interest as well. The successful inclusion of the Spring Festival in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity attracted visitors to ancient architectural sites, cultural festivals, and local craft exhibitions. Renowned events such as Quanzhou's puppet shows, Shantou's Yingge dance, and Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival have become must-see attractions for both locals and tourists alike.
Reference(s):
China's grand Spring Festival travel rush ends with record numbers
cgtn.com
