Nation Anticipates 1.4 Billion Cross-Province Trips in Spring Festival’s Opening Week
In what promises to be a historic travel season, China anticipates over 1.4 billion cross-province trips during the opening week of the Spring Festival. This annual migration period began on February 2, 2026, lasting 40 days until March 13. The Spring Festival, commonly known as the Chinese New Year, is a significant event in China’s calendar, driving unparalleled travel activity.
Travel Trends and Statistics
According to the Ministry of Transport, average daily cross-provincial trips are projected to reach approximately 201.89 million. This marks a 2 percent growth from the previous year.
- Total Cross-Province Trips: Expected to exceed 1.4 billion in the opening week.
- Average Daily Trips: 201.89 million.
- Overall Travel Period: February 2 to March 13, 2026.
- Total Trips for the Travel Rush: Estimated at 9.5 billion.
Primary Modes of Transport
Road travel remains the dominant mode of transport, accounting for about 80 percent of all journeys. The forecasted volume for each transport sector during the Spring Festival is as follows:
| Transport Type | Estimated Passengers | Daily Average | Year-on-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railway | 540 million | 12.29 million | 0.2% |
| Civil Aviation | 95 million | 2.33 million | 6.1% |
| Waterway | 4.89 million | 699,000 | 14.7% |
Air Travel Preparations
Airlines are actively preparing for the peak travel season. Air China plans to operate over 70,000 flights, a 10.1 percent increase from last year. The airline is also boosting capacity in Northeast China by 15 percent.
- Aircraft Deployment: Nine domestically produced C919 aircraft will operate on various routes.
- Passenger Flow at Beijing Airport: An estimated 7.89 million passengers, averaging 197,000 daily.
- Flight Volume Increase: Expected to rise by 1.3 percent compared to 2025.
Challenges of Increased Demand
As demand for travel grows, self-driving trips are also on the rise. Road traffic is expected to see a 2.1 percent increase year-on-year. Ride-hailing services like Didi Chuxing are reporting a 23 percent surge in demand for out-of-town rides.
Car rentals emerge as a popular option, with bookings for cross-city travel soaring by over 70 percent. Notably, interest in new energy vehicles has grown sixfold compared to last year.
As the Spring Festival approaches on February 17, the mobility trend suggests a busy travel season ahead. The peak in passenger traffic is anticipated to hit around the weekend following the upward trend in cross-regional travel.
Stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for further updates on travel patterns and statistics during this significant period.
