The annual Spring Festival travel rush, known as chunyun, began on Monday as millions of Chinese embarked on journeys home. An estimated 188 million cross-regional trips were recorded on the first day, up 13 percent year-on-year. Officials forecast a record 9.5 billion trips over the 40-day period ending March 13.
At 12:40 a.m. on Monday, construction worker Liu sat aboard train K4069 at Beijing West Railway Station as it departed on schedule, heading to Nanchang in Jiangxi province. This was the first passenger train from Beijing during chunyun, the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush ending March 13. "I've been busy all year, and now I can finally visit home," Liu said. "Knowing that this is the first train to depart from Beijing during chunyun makes my journey more thrilling."
China's chunyun is the world's largest recurring human migration. This year, the overall scale and daily peaks are expected to surpass previous records, with official estimates of 9.5 billion cross-regional trips—rail at 540 million and air at 95 million. The public holiday from February 15 to 23 will see concentrated travel, coinciding with Chinese New Year on February 17.
Ministry of Transport data shows 188 million cross-regional trips on Monday, up 13 percent year-on-year: railways handled about 12 million, civil aviation 2.19 million, with heavier highway traffic as many drive home or to destinations. Beijing West Station managed around 145,000 passenger trips that day and expects over 5.15 million total. It introduced air-rail intermodal services for China Eastern Airlines flights, linking to Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Daxing featured lanterns, cultural displays, pop-up New Year markets, and themed gates. Air China plans more than 70,000 flights during chunyun, up over 10 percent year-on-year, averaging 1,800 daily.
Eastern hubs buzzed with culture; Nanchang East Railway Station hosted kuaiban performances and Jiangxi tea-picking opera excerpts. Traveler Wang Yueyi said, "I didn't expect waiting for a train to feel like this. It feels so warm and welcoming."
Over 20 government departments coordinate efforts. Ministry spokesman Gao Bo noted toll-free highways for small passenger vehicles from February 15 to 23, added capacity for Qiongzhou Strait ferries, and more than 71,000 EV charging piles nationwide.
