As the three-day New Year holiday wrapped up this weekend, the Chinese mainland's transportation and tourism sectors rode a festive wave. From record rail journeys to a booming cinema scene, the break set the tone for a strong start to 2026.
🚄Peak return passenger flow
Saturday saw the highest volume of return trips on the railways this holiday, with data from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd forecasting 17.45 million passenger journeys for the day. To meet demand, 1,343 extra passenger trains were rolled out. Top departure hubs included Guangzhou, Beijing and Chengdu, while Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai led as destinations. On Friday alone, over 12 million trips were logged.
🎥Cinema boom fuels spending
A lineup of blockbuster releases kept moviegoers flocking to theaters, sparking a boom in the film industry. This silver screen success had a positive ripple effect on food stalls, retail shops and entertainment venues, injecting fresh excitement (and sales) into local economies.
🌏Surge in inbound tourism
Tourists from around the world seized the long weekend to explore the Chinese mainland's cultural hotspots. Museums, heritage sites and immersive performances welcomed a wave of new visitors, marking a strong start for inbound tourism in 2026.
Businesses are hopeful that this momentum will continue throughout the year, fueling growth across travel, leisure and hospitality sectors. 🚀
Reference(s):
China's New Year holiday sees peak travel, surge in inbound tourism
cgtn.com
