China's Record-Breaking Lunar New Year Travel Surge

China reached a new milestone with 9.02 billion domestic trips during its 40-day Lunar New Year travel rush, surpassing last year's figure. The increased travel reflected the state's growing economic health and transportation capacity. Post-COVID revisions included self-driving expressway trips, further boosting the travel numbers.

China recorded an unprecedented 9.02 billion domestic trips during the 40-day Lunar New Year travel period, state media Xinhua reported, exceeding last year's 8.4 billion trips. This surge is viewed as a reflection of China's economic vitality and a trial for its extensive transportation framework.

During the festive period, railways saw 513 million journeys—a 6.1% rise from the previous year—while 90.2 million passengers opted for air travel, marking a 7.4% increase, according to Xinhua. The Ministry of Transport's revised metrics now include self-driving trips, notably on major expressways, which has contributed to the increased figures.

Back in 2019, the Spring Festival travel rush recorded 2.98 billion trips, a benchmark before the COVID-19 crisis curtailed mobility. The latest data showcases a major recovery and expansion in China's travel sector.