The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush is projected to witness nearly 9.5 billion cross-regional trips, averaging nearly seven trips per person in China and setting a new historical record. The extended nine-day holiday significantly boosted travel demand. Beyond the traditional journey home for family reunions, this massive annual human migration also features the warmth of "reverse migration," where family members travel to major cities, and the joy of "going home first, then traveling for leisure." What unique scenes unfold in this vibrant portrait of a nation on the move?
This year marks the inaugural Spring Festival operation for 22 new high-speed rail lines spanning 3,109 kilometers—including routes from Xi'an to Yan'an, Baotou to Yinchuan, Guangzhou to Zhanjiang, and Chongqing to Qianjiang—and over 50 new passenger stations. Nearly 1,000 overnight high-speed trains will run on major corridors like the Beijing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Shanghai, and Shanghai-Kunming lines. China's "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed rail network is not only the world's largest but is also becoming increasingly dense. The past struggles of scarce tickets and arduous journeys have been replaced by the ease of returning home from afar within a single day. On peak travel days, the network is prepared to operate over 14,000 passenger trains and an average of 19,400 daily flights, demonstrating a fully utilized and robust transportation system capable of handling massive passenger volumes with composure.
While the high-speed "ground flight" of Fuxing bullet trains has become a familiar mode of land travel for Chinese citizens, the ascent of the domestically developed C919 passenger aircraft allows travelers to experience the advanced capabilities of Chinese innovation at 10,000 meters. This Spring Festival, all 14 of China Eastern Airlines' C919s and all 9 of Air China's C919s are deployed, with China Southern Airlines operating the aircraft from both its Guangzhou and Changsha bases for the first time. This powerful combination of large aircraft and high-speed rail makes same-day long-distance travel commonplace, not only infusing the movement of 9.5 billion people with "China speed" but also establishing these technologies as dual flagship examples of new, high-quality productive forces in China's transportation sector.
A growing number of travelers are opting for self-driving trips, filling their car trunks with local specialties and gifts for family and friends. During the travel period, daily traffic volume of new energy vehicles on China's expressway network is expected to approach 9.5 million. To address range anxiety, charging infrastructure has been comprehensively upgraded nationwide. Beijing has achieved full coverage of supercharging stations in its expressway service areas, enabling a full charge in as little as 15 minutes. At the Pinghu Service Area on the Hangzhou-Pudong Expressway, mobile energy storage charging robots are busily at work, offering a charging experience as convenient as ordering food delivery. By the end of 2025, China had accumulated over 20 million electric vehicle charging facilities, with 71,500 charging guns installed in expressway service areas nationwide, including 20,000 added in 2025 alone. The shift from "vehicles searching for chargers" to "chargers pursuing vehicles," and from hours-long waits to charging during a short break, has made journeys home in new energy vehicles both reassuring and comfortable.
The 12306 ticketing system continues to be upgraded, with AI-powered smart scheduling accurately predicting passenger flow peaks and significantly increasing the success rate of waitlisted ticket purchases. Through the "Smooth Journey" mini-program, drivers can check the real-time status of charging piles in expressway service areas across the country, eliminating anxiety. The widespread adoption of facial recognition for station entry, electronic tickets, and self-service baggage check-in at high-speed rail stations and airports has greatly improved throughput efficiency. The deep integration of intelligent and information technologies empowers the Spring Festival travel season, making journeys more efficient, convenient, and environmentally friendly.
Elderly passengers concerned about using smartphones need not worry. China State Railway offers telephone booking services, while airlines and airports provide guidance, companionship, and dedicated waiting areas for seniors, ensuring a hassle-free travel experience for older adults. For those who purchase the wrong ticket, free cancellations are available within 30 minutes. Services like door-to-station or door-to-door luggage delivery and pilot programs for "ski equipment convenience" are a boon for travelers seeking ease, enabling them to travel light and spontaneously.
Beyond robust infrastructure, significant efforts have been made in service quality across regions and departments, elevating the Spring Festival travel experience from mere mobility to quality mobility. Behind every passenger's safe arrival and every family's joyful reunion lies the leapfrog development of China's transportation infrastructure, witnessing the continuous growth of the nation's formidable strength. With new route expansions, enhanced transport capacity, and solid hardware support, coupled with thoughtful, efficient, intelligent, and green services featuring human-centric care, the system operates with greater precision. Big data enables accurate scheduling, and coordinated intermodal transport ensures efficient synergy, leading to more refined governance, scientific planning, and proactive responses.
The movement of 9.5 billion trips is a vivid reflection of the dynamic vitality coursing through a mobile China. The immense energy and potential of the vast domestic market are ultimately transforming into a powerful driving force, propelling the Chinese economy to continuously reach new heights.
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