China’s extensive railway system experienced a significant surge in return passenger traffic on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, marking the conclusion of the New Year holiday period. According to official data released by China State Railway Group Co Ltd, the national rail network prepared to accommodate approximately 17.45 million passenger journeys on the final day of the holiday break.
In response to the substantial travel demand, railway authorities implemented enhanced operational measures, scheduling an additional 1,343 passenger trains to ensure efficient transportation services nationwide. The strategic deployment of extra capacity aimed to facilitate smooth travel experiences for millions of citizens returning from their holiday destinations.
Geographical analysis of passenger flow patterns identified Guangzhou, Beijing, and Chengdu as primary departure hubs, while Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai emerged as the most frequented destination cities. This bidirectional traffic pattern reflects the extensive interregional mobility characteristic of China’s major holiday periods.
The preceding day, Friday January 2nd, already demonstrated substantial transportation activity with railways processing over 12 million passenger trips nationwide. The 2026 New Year holiday period officially spanned from Thursday December 31st, 2025 through Saturday January 3rd, 2026, creating a concentrated three-day window for holiday travel and family reunions across the country.
China’s railway management continues to demonstrate remarkable operational capability in managing these periodic mass migration events, which represent some of the largest organized human movements globally. The efficient handling of such substantial passenger volumes underscores the advanced logistical planning and infrastructure development within China’s transportation sector.