BEIJING, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Every year during the Lunar New Year, hundreds of millions of people travel across China to reunite with family back home or go sightseeing during the long festival, the world’s largest annual migration.
The Lunar New Year travel boom is often seen as a barometer of China’s economic health and a stress test of its vast transportation system.
How long?
This year’s Spring Festival travel peak period starts on February 2 and will last for 40 days.
The official Chinese New Year public holiday (New Year’s celebration) takes place from 15th to 23rd February.
How many trips are expected?
Officials expect domestic travel to reach a record 9.5 billion during the 40 days, up from about 9.02 billion last year.
Such annual official statistics have increased significantly since the Department of Transport revised the category ahead of the 2023 Lunar New Year to include road trips on major national highways.
How do people travel?
Since the peak began on February 2, as of February 10, China’s railways have carried 1.01 billion passengers. As of February 8, the number of flights in the first week reached 16.32 million, and the total number of flights for the entire 40-day period is expected to be 95 million.
What are the most popular destinations?
China’s top travel agency said international travel is on the rise this year, with the holiday extended by one day to a total of nine days.
Domestic demand is divided between destinations with tropical flair, such as the southern island province of Hainan and the northeastern ice and snow sports mecca of Changbai Mountain.
Internationally, summer destinations such as Thailand and Australia are on the rise, with Russia becoming a new entrant after allowing Chinese tourists to travel visa-free in December 2025.
Demand for long-time favorite Japan has fallen sharply this year amid tensions.
How is this year different?
The rush to buy has intensified as China extended its official Spring Festival holiday by one day.
It also expanded visa-free entry to more than 45 countries, making visitors from many European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand and others eligible to stay for up to 30 days.
(Reporting by Kathy Hall; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
