China’s annual Spring Festival travel rush, known as Chunyun, has set new records this year with billions of passenger trips made across the country during the 40-day period. Official data released on Sunday showed a significant increase in inter-regional travel, highlighting a strong rebound in mobility and economic activity.
The Chunyun period, often dubbed the world’s largest annual human migration, concluded on Saturday. This year, it witnessed a remarkable surge as families reunited to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which fell on January 22. The total number of passenger trips reached approximately 2.9 billion, marking a substantial increase over the previous year.
Road travel dominated the transportation methods, accounting for the majority of trips. Around 2.4 billion journeys were made by road, reflecting notable year-on-year growth. The railway network also saw record-breaking numbers, with over 420 million passenger trips recorded, according to the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
Air travel experienced a significant boost as well. The Civil Aviation Administration of China reported that the civil aviation sector handled over 70 million passenger trips and operated more than 500,000 flights during the Chunyun period, both reaching new heights.
The surge in travel indicates a robust recovery in domestic demand for transportation and highlights the effectiveness of measures taken to facilitate safe and efficient travel amid global challenges. The Spring Festival remains a crucial time for family reunions in China, and this year’s record numbers underscore the importance of these traditions.
