China’s massive Spring Festival migration has commenced with unprecedented scale as the 2026 travel season officially began on February 2nd. The initial data reveals extraordinary movement patterns across the nation’s transportation networks, signaling a robust recovery in domestic travel following previous years’ constraints.
According to the Special Task Force for Comprehensive Transportation during Spring Festival, approximately 187.91 million passengers embarked on journeys during the first day alone—representing a substantial 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. This surge demonstrates the enduring significance of family reunions during China’s most important traditional holiday.
Road transportation continues to dominate travel preferences, with highway usage accounting for 173.12 million passenger trips. Within this category, private vehicle travel experienced particularly dramatic growth, with non-commercial small passenger vehicles recording nearly 143.08 million trips—a 13.5 percent year-over-year increase. Commercial road transport also showed strong performance, facilitating 30.04 million passenger journeys, marking a 10.3 percent rise from the previous year.
The extensive travel period, known as ‘chunyun’ in Chinese, represents the world’s largest annual human migration event. The current figures suggest that pre-pandemic travel volumes have not only recovered but exceeded previous benchmarks. Transportation authorities have implemented comprehensive measures to ensure smooth operations and passenger safety throughout the 40-day travel period that typically surrounds the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Railway stations, airports, and highway networks across China are operating at near-capacity levels as millions of urban workers return to their hometowns for family gatherings. The data indicates a clear preference for private vehicle travel, likely driven by continued health considerations and improved highway infrastructure nationwide.