The Lunar New Year travel season, China’s Spring Festival, has officially begun, signaling a time of mass reunions and holidays for millions of Chinese citizens. This 40-day travel peak, running from January 9 to February 22, is anticipated to see a record-breaking 9 billion domestic trips, aligning with 2024’s forecast.
The first train of the season departed Beijing shortly after midnight on Tuesday, headed for Hefei in Anhui province, marking the symbolic start of the rush. The importance of the reunion dinner on the eve of the New Year (January 29) is central to this annual journey.
Transportation Breakdown:
Railways: Over 510 million passengers are expected, emphasizing the efficiency of China’s extensive train network.
Air Travel: 90 million passengers will fly, with a significant 50% increase in multi-destination tickets.
Road Travel: Personal vehicles will dominate, contributing 7.2 billion trips, or 80% of total domestic passenger movement, highlighting their flexibility and affordability, especially during economically challenging times.
