Spring Festival travel set to hit record levels as the Chinese authorities are preparing to take appropriate measures during the event.
China’s Spring Festival travel volume is expected to reach unprecedented levels, with transport authorities taking extensive measures to prepare. These include increasing transportation capacity, enhancing coordination, improving safety protocols, and optimizing services, officials reported.
The Spring Festival travel rush, known as chunyun, is anticipated to set a new record with an estimated 9 billion trips during the 40-day period from January 14 to February 22, according to Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission. This marks a 7 percent rise from the 8.4 billion trips recorded in 2024.
For many, chunyun is more than just a seasonal migration—it represents the joy of homecoming and the preservation of traditions. As the world’s largest annual human migration unfolds, it showcases China’s organizational and management capabilities while highlighting the cultural significance of family reunions.
During a national video conference, Li outlined comprehensive plans to ensure a smooth travel season, focusing on expanding transportation capacity, enforcing safety protocols, and improving passenger services. He pledged to deliver a safe and convenient travel experience.
Rail and air travel are set to see significant increases during the chunyun period. Over 510 million rail passenger trips and 90 million civil aviation trips are expected, reflecting growth compared to 2024. Self-driving will remain the most popular travel mode.
Authorities are implementing extensive measures to accommodate the surge in passenger flow. These include expanding transportation capacity, improving coordination across transport modes, and enhancing emergency response systems. The Ministry of Transport has established a dedicated team to oversee seamless integration of rail, road, air, and sea services.
Railway networks are preparing for peak travel days on January 25, before the holiday, and February 4, the holiday’s final day. To meet demand, daily train services will increase to 14,100 before the holiday and 14,200 after, a 3.9 percent and 4.3 percent rise, respectively, from last year. High-speed trains on major routes will also operate overnight services.
Transport authorities are focusing on improving connectivity between various travel modes. Efforts are being made to ensure smooth transitions for travelers, particularly addressing the “first and last mile” challenges from transport hubs to destinations.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity during the travel rush, with usage expected to increase. However, the growing demand for charging infrastructure remains a challenge. Li Yang, vice-minister of transport, noted that EV usage during the National Day holiday in October reached 15.9 percent, and similar trends are anticipated for the Spring Festival.
To address EV charging challenges, over 33,000 charging posts have been installed across expressways, a significant increase from 2023. Approximately 97 percent of service areas on China’s expressway network now have charging facilities. Mobile charging stations and optimized infrastructure distribution are also being deployed to meet peak demand.
Authorities aim to expand charging infrastructure further, with a goal of comprehensive coverage by the end of 2025. Mobile and fixed charging facilities will ensure a smoother travel experience for EV users, supported by apps and on-site displays to locate charging stations.
Ensuring safety remains a top priority during chunyun. Strict safety protocols, including risk assessments and inspections, will be enforced across transportation networks. Special measures will focus on mitigating congestion and ensuring smooth traffic flow at key hubs and bottlenecks.
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