The May Day holiday has seen a massive surge in mobility across the Chinese mainland, with passenger trips on the national railway network surpassing the 100 million mark. According to the state railway operator, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the system has maintained safe and smooth operations throughout the five-day holiday period.
By Monday, the total number of passenger trips had already reached 117 million. The momentum continued into the final stretch of the break, with Monday alone seeing over 20.38 million passengers utilizing the rail network to reach their destinations.
As the holiday concludes today, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, railway authorities are preparing for a significant spike in return-trip traffic. Projections indicate that approximately 23 million passengers will travel today. To accommodate this demand, the railway group has arranged an additional 2,225 train services.
Data from the official railway booking platform highlights the most sought-after destinations for Tuesday's travelers, with Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Shenzhen topping the list. These hubs remain central to the region's economic and cultural connectivity.
To ensure an orderly and safe journey for all, railway authorities have been actively mobilizing capacity resources. A notable example of this effort is seen in Guangdong Province in south China, where 707 additional trains have been deployed on popular routes to manage the peak return flow of travelers.
Reference(s):
China's railway passenger trips top 100 million during May Day holiday
cgtn.com
