Today (the 22nd) marks the 21st day of the Spring Festival travel rush. According to information, in the first 20 days of the travel rush, the total volume of cross-regional passenger movements across society is estimated to have reached 5.08 billion person-times, averaging 250 million person-times daily. This represents a 5.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025, setting a new historical high for the period.

On February 21st, the volume of cross-regional passenger movements across society is estimated to have exceeded 360 million person-times, with return-trip passenger flow climbing across various regions.

National railways are expected to have transported 16.8 million passengers. Railway departments increased the frequency of special trains for migrant workers and overnight high-speed rail services. Southwest Railways added 551 passenger trains bound for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other destinations. The Wuhan Railway Bureau added 335 passenger trains and set up dedicated waiting areas and channels for migrant workers returning to work in concentrated groups. The Nanning Railway Bureau will operate return-to-work trains from Xingyi Station to the Yangtze River Delta and the Greater Bay Area for eight consecutive days from February 20th to 27th.

On February 21st, the volume of road passenger movements is estimated to have exceeded 339 million person-times, a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Waterway passenger volume is estimated at 1.81 million person-times, a 27.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Civil aviation passenger volume is estimated at 2.63 million person-times, an 8.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Railway Departments Respond to Strong Wind Weather

Ensuring Safe Passenger Travel

In recent days, strong wind weather has occurred in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and other areas. To ensure operational safety, the Hohhot Railway Bureau imposed speed restrictions yesterday on trains passing through certain sections of the Zhangjiakou-Hohhot High-Speed Railway, Jining-Datong-Yuanping High-Speed Railway, and Baotou-Yinchuan High-Speed Railway. Simultaneously, they strengthened checks for vehicle roll-away prevention and inspections of facilities along the lines.

Xinjiang railway departments also adjusted train operation plans dynamically based on weather conditions, implementing measures such as speed restrictions, suspensions, and turnbacks. Stations increased staffing, added service guidance, and made every effort to assist passengers with ticket refunds and changes, striving to minimize the impact of weather on travel.

As it is the peak period for return trips during the Spring Festival travel rush, passengers with travel plans are reminded to stay updated on train statuses via the Railway 12306 app, customer service hotlines, station announcements, and display screens, plan their journeys in advance, and have a safe and smooth return trip.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties, a legacy visible in sites like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Today, it is a vast modern metropolis that remains the nation’s political and cultural center.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global metropolis and financial hub on China’s east coast, which grew from a small fishing village into a treaty port opened to foreign trade after the First Opium War (1842). Its iconic skyline, exemplified by the Bund’s historic buildings and Pudong’s modern towers like the Shanghai Tower, reflects its unique history as a crossroads of Eastern and Western influence throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou, historically known as Canton, is a major port city in southern China and the capital of Guangdong province. With a history spanning over 2,200 years, it served as a key terminus of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and was long a primary gateway for foreign trade and cultural exchange. Today, it is a modern metropolis renowned for its Cantonese culture, cuisine, and as the host of the iconic Canton Fair.

Yangtze River Delta

The Yangtze River Delta is a highly developed and economically vital region in eastern China, encompassing Shanghai and parts of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. Historically a fertile agricultural area and a hub of ancient Wu and Yue cultures, it became a major center for trade, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the modern era, it has transformed into China’s premier economic engine and a global financial and manufacturing powerhouse.

Greater Bay Area

The Greater Bay Area is a major economic and technological hub in southern China, encompassing nine cities in Guangdong Province along with Hong Kong and Macao. Its modern development was formally launched as a national strategy in 2017 to integrate these regions, but its history is rooted in the long-standing commercial and cultural ties of the Pearl River Delta, with Hong Kong and Macao serving as key international gateways for centuries. Today, it is envisioned as a world-class city cluster driving innovation and connectivity.

Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of northern China, historically inhabited by Mongol nomads and later incorporated into the Chinese empire during the Qing Dynasty (17th-20th centuries). Today, it is known for its vast grasslands, traditional Mongolian culture—including the Naadam Festival and yurt dwellings—and its significant role in China’s energy and livestock industries.

Xinjiang

Xinjiang, officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a vast territory in northwest China known for its diverse ethnic groups, including the Uyghur people, and its historical significance as a major hub on the ancient Silk Road. It has been a crossroads of cultures and empires for centuries, with its modern history shaped by its incorporation into the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Today, it is recognized for its striking landscapes, from the Taklamakan Desert to the Tian Shan mountains, and its distinct cultural heritage.

Zhangjiakou-Hohhot High-Speed Railway

The Zhangjiakou-Hohhot High-Speed Railway is a major rail link in northern China, connecting Hebei Province to Inner Mongolia. Opened in late 2019, it significantly reduced travel time between the two regions, facilitating economic integration and providing crucial transport infrastructure for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, as Zhangjiakou was a co-host city.