China's Spring Festival travel rush reached unprecedented levels yesterday, with daily cross-regional passenger trips surging to 350 million on February 20, 2026 – a 12.3% increase from the same day last year. The Ministry of Transport confirmed this milestone, underscoring the scale of what is often called the world’s largest annual human migration.
This year’s 40-day chunyun period, running from February 2 to March 13, is projected to see 9.5 billion inter-regional trips. The record-breaking numbers follow the February 17 Lunar New Year celebrations, when millions reunited with families during the nine-day national holiday.
Transport authorities attribute the surge to improved infrastructure and pent-up demand after recent economic stabilization. Analysts suggest the figures reflect both China’s cultural emphasis on family traditions and its growing domestic consumption potential, offering insights for businesses monitoring Asia’s post-pandemic recovery patterns.
