This year's Spring Festival, China's epic family reunion holiday, is breaking records as millions journey home. Telecommunications giant China Mobile reports a 23% surge in homecoming trips compared to 2023, with travelers averaging 509 kilometers to reunite with loved ones.
Dubbed chunyun—the world's largest annual human migration—the 40-day travel rush kicked off January 26. Officials predict a jaw-dropping 9 billion cross-regional trips, surpassing all previous numbers.
Peak travel day? February 8 saw 12.9 million rail passengers, while numbers dipped 40% by Lunar New Year's Eve (February 9) as folks settled into celebrations. So far, over 170 million train trips have been clocked during this year's chunyun.
Why it matters: These numbers reflect China's post-pandemic recovery and the enduring cultural power of family ties. Whether by bullet train or carpool, the Spring Festival remains humanity's most heartfelt commute.
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Telecommunications giant China Mobile reports a 23% surge in homecoming trips compared to 2023, with travelers averaging 509 kilometers to reunite with loved ones.
So far, over 170 million train trips have been clocked during this year's chunyun.
Why it matters: These numbers reflect China's post-pandemic recovery and the enduring cultural power of family ties. Whether by bullet train or carpool, the Spring Festival remains humanity's most heartfelt commute.
