China’s railway network has demonstrated extraordinary capacity during the 2026 Spring Festival travel period, handling a staggering 258 million passenger journeys as the annual migration reached its midpoint. The China State Railway Group Co Ltd reported these figures on Sunday, highlighting the massive scale of transportation operations during the world’s largest annual human migration event.
Recent data reveals that February 21st, marking the 20th day of the chunyun season, witnessed approximately 17.19 million railway trips. Transportation authorities anticipated even higher volumes for the following day, with projections reaching 17.93 million passenger journeys. To accommodate this unprecedented demand, railway operators have deployed an additional 2,203 special service trains across the national network.
The comprehensive transportation strategy has involved significant capacity expansion on major routes, coupled with enhanced station facilities and upgraded onboard services. Railway authorities have implemented multiple measures to optimize passenger experience throughout the travel period, which officially spans from February 2 to March 13, 2026.
This year’s Spring Festival, traditionally known as the Chinese New Year, occurred on February 17, triggering the massive population movement that characterizes modern Chinese society. The chunyun phenomenon represents not only a transportation challenge but also a cultural tradition that sees millions of Chinese citizens returning to their hometowns for family reunions and celebrations.