China's May Day holiday began with unprecedented travel activity, as transportation authorities reported historic passenger numbers signaling robust tourism demand and economic momentum. On the first day of the holiday, inter-regional trips surged to 332.7 million, marking a 6.2% year-on-year increase, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Road travel dominated with 305.61 million trips, while waterway passenger numbers skyrocketed by 87.5%. Air travel also saw an 8.9% rise, and railways handled a record 23.12 million trips—an 11.7% jump from 2023. To manage the influx, operators deployed 13,800 trains on May 1 alone.
Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen topped booking platforms as travelers opted for longer journeys compared to the Qingming Festival's short-distance trends. Over 1,200 counties reported tourism activity, with bookings up 20% year-on-year. Analysts highlight the surge as a key indicator of China's consumer confidence and stabilizing economic recovery post-pandemic.
