China’s railway network has set a new record, handling a staggering 1.86 billion passenger trips in the first five months of 2025. This marks a 7.3% increase compared to the same period last year and the highest figure ever recorded for this timeframe.
On average, 11,243 trains were operated daily, up 7.5% year-on-year, according to data released by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. The peak was on May 1, the start of the five-day May Day holiday, when an unprecedented 13,752 trains were in operation, providing over 23 million trips. Both numbers represent the highest single-day records to date.
As China continues to expand its visa-free policies for foreign nationals, the country’s railways have seen a significant uptick in international travelers. In the first five months of 2025, foreign nationals made 7.67 million train trips in China, a remarkable 29% increase year-on-year.
Cross-border railway transport also experienced rapid growth during this period. The China-Laos Railway, for instance, recorded 124,000 passenger trips, representing a 24.2% increase from the previous year.
This surge in railway passenger traffic highlights China’s ongoing efforts to improve its transportation infrastructure and foster greater connectivity both domestically and internationally.
