China’s daily passenger trips up nearly 20 pct during New Year holiday

China recorded an average of 198 million daily inter-regional passenger trips during the three-day New Year holiday that ended on Saturday, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.62 percent, official data showed Sunday.

The total number of passenger trips during the holiday reached 595 million, highlighting robust travel demand, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Highway travel remained the dominant mode of transportation, accounting for 539 million passenger trips during the holiday. Daily passenger traffic rose by 15.7 percent compared to the previous year. Railway transport saw the fastest growth among major modes of transport, recording a year-on-year increase of 52.66 percent on a daily average basis. On the first day of the holiday, railway passenger trips totaled 18.56 million, surging 67.9 percent year on year.

Moreover, waterway and civil aviation transport also posted double-digit increases in passenger trips during the period.

“The surge in travel during the holiday boosted sales at tourist attractions, accommodation, entertainment, and specialty products, promoting economic development in urban and rural areas and presenting a vibrant China,” said Xin Minglun, deputy director of the Transport Service Department of the Ministry of Transport.

A total of 142 million domestic travel trips were made during the three-day New Year holiday period, with total tourism spending reaching nearly 84.8 billion yuan (about 12.1 billion U.S. dollars), the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said on Sunday.

The ministry added that winter-themed tours, sun-seeking getaways and short-distance excursions gained significant traction during the holiday, as consumer activity remained robust and dynamic.

The National Immigration Administration said on Sunday that the country recorded more than 6.61 million cross-border trips during the three days. The average number of daily cross-border trips surged by 28.6 percent year on year.

The data also showed that 3.365 million exit and entry passenger trips were made by Chinese mainland residents, and 2.422 million by residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, up 39.1 percent and 15.9 percent year on year, respectively.

During the holiday, cross-border trips by foreign visitors rose by 29.8 percent from the 2025 figure to reach 828,000. Among these foreign travelers entering China, 292,000 were admitted under the country’s visa-free policy, up 35.8 percent year on year.

Citizens of the Republic of Korea (ROK) have shared their views and expectations for future cooperation with China ahead of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit, which began in Beijing on Sunday.

Lee is making his first visit to China since assuming office in June 2025, with the state visit scheduled to run until Wednesday.

Street food vendor Jang Dong Il said he had high expectations for the visit, hoping it would lead to effective cooperation between the two countries and improvements in the economic environment for mutual benefit.

“More exchanges between the two countries would boost for the two economies. I am full of hope for a strong cooperation between President Lee Jae-myung and President Xi Jinping,” he said.

“I have high hopes for this meeting between our countries’ leaders. President Lee Jae Myung is visiting China between January 4 and January 7, to discuss economic, cultural and tourism exchanges.I understand about 200 to 300 South Korean corporate executives have traveled with him. I have high hopes for this. If this visit helps strengthen relations between two leaders,I believe it could lead to a win-win outcome and bring ROK and China closer together,” Yang said.

“The leaders’ meeting can spark dynamic exchanges in economy and culture. More exchanges between the two countries would boost the two economies. I am full of hope for a strong cooperation between President Lee Jae-myung and President Xi Jinping,” said Noh Yun Ji, a teacher.

“The two can complement each other economically and continue to develop,” said Kim Yoon Jung, a Seoul resident.

Dancer Yoon Ji Eun shared her experience of visiting Shanghai, saying that the delicious food suited her taste and that the city’s fashionable, clean urban environment left her with a positive impression of China.

“Last summer, I took a trip to Shanghai, and after seeing it for myself, I found the food was to my taste, and the city was modern and clean. So I came to see China as a captivating country,” Yoon said.

“First of all, China is a very large country. And the food is delicious. I enjoy dishes like malatang and hot pot.I love Chinese food,” Noh said.

The ROK citizens also expressed hope for strengthened people to people exchanges with China.

Recalling her time studying dance in China, Yoon said her experience highlighted the role of education in fostering cultural understanding.

“Although I don’t know much about this, as I mentioned, I went to Shanghai for dance lessons. It shows education can offer cultural experiences,” she said.