China’s National Immigration Administration has projected a significant surge in cross-border travel during the upcoming New Year holiday period, forecasting more than 2.1 million daily inbound and outbound trips. This represents a substantial 22.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, signaling a robust recovery in cross-border mobility.
The holiday period, spanning from Thursday to Saturday, is expected to witness its passenger flow peak on Wednesday evening and throughout Thursday. This travel boom is largely attributed to the successful implementation of newly introduced immigration management measures that have enhanced customs clearance efficiency and facilitated smoother border transitions.
Major international airports across China are preparing for heavy traffic volumes. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is anticipated to handle approximately 97,000 daily passengers, followed by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with 53,000, and Beijing Capital International Airport with 43,000. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Shenzhen Baoan International Airport are projected to process 19,000 and 18,000 passengers daily respectively.
Additionally, the administration highlighted that numerous large-scale events scheduled throughout Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao will contribute to increased traffic at land ports connecting these regions. To manage the anticipated surge, border control authorities nationwide have been directed to implement enhanced measures including real-time travel flow updates, intensified guidance services, and extended operating hours at key ports. These initiatives aim to maintain waiting times for Chinese citizens within 30 minutes during peak clearance periods.