China is set to experience a record-breaking surge in domestic travel during the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, with authorities projecting about 9.5 billion passenger trips nationwide during the annual Spring Festival travel period. The 40-day travel window, which runs from February 15 to March 26, is regarded as the world’s largest seasonal human migration, as millions of citizens journey to their hometowns to reunite with families. The projected figure exceeds last year’s 9.02 billion trips, signalling rising domestic mobility and continued recovery in the country’s tourism and transport sectors.
To ease congestion and stimulate economic activity, the Chinese government has extended the official Lunar New Year holiday to nine days, from February 15 to 23. Analysts say the longer break is expected to boost travel demand and drive increased spending across key sectors such as transportation, hospitality and retail. Rail and aviation authorities have begun large-scale preparations ahead of the rush.
China Railway has announced the deployment of additional train services, while major airlines have scheduled extra domestic flights to cope with the anticipated increase in passenger numbers. Guangdong Province alone is expected to record about 1.15 billion passenger trips, one of the highest figures across the country.
The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, has assured the public of heightened safety and efficiency measures. These include improved traffic monitoring, expanded public transport schedules and crowd management strategies at major terminals. Authorities have also issued health and safety guidelines for travellers, particularly in densely populated areas.
Beyond the logistical challenges, the massive travel movement is expected to have far-reaching economic implications. Travel-related businesses, including hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, are projected to witness increased patronage, strengthening domestic consumption and contributing to broader economic growth. Tourism boards across various regions are also intensifying promotions of local cultural festivals and attractions to maximise the holiday period.
