China’s transportation networks witnessed an unprecedented surge in passenger volume as the nation commenced its extended Spring Festival holiday period. Official data from the Ministry of Transport indicates that Sunday, February 15th, 2026, marked the beginning of what authorities project to be the busiest travel period in recent history.
Transport authorities reported an estimated 285 million inter-regional passenger journeys occurred on the holiday’s opening day, representing a substantial 10.5 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. This massive movement of people reflects the enduring cultural significance of family reunions during China’s most important traditional festival.
Road transportation bore the brunt of this travel explosion, with approximately 268.75 million trips recorded—a 10.8 percent year-on-year increase. Railway and air travel also experienced significant growth, rising by 4.3 percent and 6.4 percent respectively. The most dramatic surge was observed in waterway transportation, which saw an extraordinary 28.1 percent increase in passenger journeys.
The Spring Festival, traditionally known as Chinese New Year, officially falls on February 17th this year. While the national holiday spans nine days, the annual travel rush—recognized as the world’s largest human migration—commenced earlier on February 2nd and will continue through March 13th. This extended period allows millions of Chinese workers and students to return to their hometowns for family celebrations, despite the logistical challenges posed by such massive population movement.
The Ministry of Transport has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure transportation safety and efficiency during this period, including enhanced scheduling, increased capacity across all transport modes, and strengthened safety protocols. This coordinated approach aims to manage the unprecedented passenger flow while maintaining service quality and security standards throughout the holiday travel season.