Monday, January 27, 2025 China is witnessing an unprecedented surge in travel ahead of the Lunar New Year, as millions of citizens embark on their annual journeys home. Known as the largest human migration globally, this year’s travel season, or Chunyun , is expected to break records, with an estimated nine billion trips across various transport modes over the 40-day period surrounding the New Year festivities. The celebrations usher in the Year of the Snake on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
According to the Ministry of Transport , over 510 million train trips and 90 million air trips are projected during the travel period. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years, fueled by pent-up demand as China’s travel industry rebounds post-pandemic. Railways have responded to the demand by deploying additional high-speed trains, while airlines have added flights to key routes.
The national railway operator, China State Railway Group , has identified Saturday, January 25, as the peak day for pre-holiday travel. Using advanced data from ticket sales and waitlists, the company has regulated capacity to accommodate surging passenger numbers efficiently. At major transit hubs like Beijing West Station , thousands of travelers were seen navigating crowded platforms and departure halls, many bundled in warm clothing and wearing face masks to protect themselves in the packed conditions.
In the east China city of Nantong, similar scenes played out as families prepared for .