China's three-day Qingming Festival holiday concluded on April 7, 2026, with a record 845.38 million domestic passenger trips recorded nationwide, marking a 6% increase from 2025 levels according to Ministry of Transport data released Monday.
Road travel dominated the holiday exodus with 778.45 million trips, while railways saw 57.68 million passengers – an 8.2% year-on-year increase that underscores growing demand for high-speed rail connectivity. Waterway transport surged 9.8% to 3.7 million trips, though civil aviation saw a slight 1.3% decline to 5.5 million flights.
Cultural Traditions Meet Spring Tourism
The holiday period, known for tomb-sweeping rituals honoring ancestors, has increasingly become a catalyst for spring tourism. Many travelers combined family obligations with visits to blooming cherry blossom sites and cultural landmarks, particularly in eastern and southern provinces.
Analysts note the travel figures signal continued recovery in domestic consumption patterns, with short-haul trips to rural ancestral homes complementing urban tourism packages. The transport ministry has pledged to expand holiday service capacity ahead of next month's Labor Day travel peak.
