BUSINESS

China Travel Hits Record 2.8 Billion Trips Over Extended Lunar New Year

Published: Feb. 24, 2026 11:53 p.m. GMT+8

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During the Spring Festival holiday, tourists visit the Two Dams and One Gorge scenic route in Yiling district of Yichang on Feb. 23, 2026. Photo: VCG

Travel across China surged to a record during the extended Lunar New Year holiday, with total cross-regional trips rising 8.2% from a year earlier to nearly 2.8 billion.

The nine-day break — one day longer than usual — fueled a sharp increase in mobility, led by road travel and a rebound in international flights. The surge reflects shifting consumption patterns as electric vehicle adoption accelerates.

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Lunar New Year 2024 travel in China hit a record 2.8 billion cross-regional trips, up 8.2% year-on-year.
Road travel dominated with highways accounting for 86% of trips; electric vehicle highway use rose 34% to 11.52 million daily.
Rail and aviation set records, with railways serving 121 million passengers (up 11.5%) and flights reaching 92.3% of 2019 international capacity.

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China State Railway Group Co. Ltd.: China State Railway Group Co. Ltd. reported a record 121 million passenger trips during the extended Lunar New Year holiday, an 11.5% increase year-on-year. They managed a single-day record of 18.73 million passengers on February 23rd, adding thousands of temporary and overnight high-speed trains to meet demand. The group prioritized long-haul travel while accommodating other travel needs.

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