China’s May Day holiday has begun with an unprecedented surge in travel, showcasing the country’s strong tourism demand and economic vitality. On Thursday, the first day of the holiday, transport services across the nation reported a staggering 332.7 million inter-regional passenger trips, marking a 6.2 percent increase compared to last year, according to data from the Ministry of Transport.
Road travel dominated the transportation methods, with 305.61 million passenger trips made by road—a 4.7 percent rise year on year. Air travel also saw significant growth, with an 8.9 percent increase in passenger trips, while waterway travel experienced an impressive 87.5 percent surge compared to the same day last year.
The country’s railway network shattered previous records by handling 23.12 million passenger trips, an 11.7 percent increase year on year, as reported by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. To accommodate the massive influx of travelers, 13,800 passenger trains were in operation on May 1.
Popular destinations among travelers include major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Nanjing, and Zhengzhou, according to China’s official railway booking platform, 12306. Tourists are venturing further than during the recent Qingming Festival, with trips spanning 1,229 counties nationwide on Thursday. Online travel agency Qunar.com noted that related bookings are up 20 percent year on year.
This record-breaking travel surge reflects the pent-up desire for exploration and the steady recovery of the tourism industry. As the May Day holiday continues, the total railway passenger trips are expected to reach 144 million from April 29 to May 6, indicating a vibrant and dynamic travel season ahead.
