China’s 2026 New Year holiday wrapped up with record-breaking travel numbers and a cultural spending spree, signaling a vibrant start to the year for Asia’s largest economy. 🎉
Railways Hit High Gear
Saturday marked the peak return travel day, with railways handling 17.45 million passenger trips nationwide – equivalent to moving Australia’s entire population in 24 hours! 🚆 Major hubs like Beijing and Shanghai saw intense traffic, while operators added 1,343 extra trains to keep up with demand.
Culture & Cinema Cash In
Beyond transportation, the holiday fueled a:
📈 45% spike in museum visits compared to 2025
🍿 Blockbuster-driven cinema revenue surge
🛍️ 22% YoY increase in mall foot traffic near cultural sites
Tourism hotspots like the Great Wall and Shanghai Disney reported their highest January visitor numbers this decade.
Global Visitors Return
Inbound travel rebounded to 92% of pre-pandemic levels, with Southeast Asian and European tourists leading the charge. The Forbidden City’s new AR-guided tours went viral on TikTok, amassing 18M views. 📱
