9.5 Billion Trips: China’s Lunar New Year Travel Surge Shocks the World
Nine and a half billion journeys are now underway across China, marking the start of the largest annual human migration on Earth.
As the Lunar New Year holiday begins, hundreds of millions of people are packing trains, boarding planes and crowding highways to reunite with family. This 40-day travel period, known as chunyun, has long been the world’s biggest seasonal movement of people. But this year, the numbers are even more striking. Officials expect around 9.5 billion passenger trips, up from 9 billion last year. That scale is difficult to grasp. It is not just travel. It is a national reset.
The official holiday runs for nine days this year instead of the usual eight, from 15 to 23 February, giving families more time together and, importantly, more time to spend. Beijing is hoping this extended break will deliver a powerful boost to domestic consumption. China’s economy has leaned heavily on exports in recent years, while households continue to save roughly a third of their income. Retail sales growth has lagged behind overall economic growth and leaders have made it clear they want consumers to open their wallets.
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To encourage that, authorities are issuing hundreds of millions of yuan in consumer vouchers. The message is simple. Travel home. Celebrate. Spend.
This year also welcomes the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, momentum and opportunity. That symbolism is not lost on policymakers. There is strong emphasis on culture, tourism, entertainment and services. Cinemas are preparing for major holiday releases, hoping to replicate past blockbuster success that shattered box office records during the festive window. Restaurants, retailers and travel operators are bracing for a surge.
And the travel story does not stop at China’s borders. International seat capacity is up and outbound tourism is rebounding sharply. Thailand and Russia are seeing strong growth in Chinese bookings. Northern Europe and Australia are also reporting major increases. At the same time, Japan is facing a steep drop in Chinese visitors amid strained relations, with flight routes cut and passenger numbers falling significantly.
So this is more than a holiday. It is an economic test. Can festive optimism translate into sustained spending? Can services and tourism help rebalance the world’s second-largest economy? The answers will shape not just China’s growth outlook, but global markets tied to Chinese demand.
As billions of journeys continue over the coming weeks, the world is watching closely. Stay with us for continuing coverage on the economic impact, the travel surge and what this pivotal Lunar New Year means for China and beyond.
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