Photo: Chen Tao/GT

The 2025 Spring Festival travel rush starts on Tuesday and will conclude on February 22, lasting for a total of 40 days, according to China Railway Group Co. During the period, China's railway system is expected to deliver approximately 510 million passenger trips, averaging around 12.75 million trips per day. 

On the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush the national railways are projected to deliver 10.3 million passenger trips, China Railway said, adding there is a strong public inclination to travel, and overall passenger flow is expected to steadily increase. 

This year's Spring Festival features 8-day-long holidays and a substantial relaxation of China's visa-free transit policy. Additionally, it is the first travel rush since China's Spring Festival was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

China Railway announced that it will increase passenger transport capacity for the travel rush. The new railway lines that began operations in 2024, along with the 185 new Fuxing high-speed trains capable of running at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour deployed prior to the travel rush will effectively expand transportation capacity.

China Railway said that it will enhance the passenger ticketing experience, improve station services, and ensure the smooth transportation of key supplies. This includes supporting the transportation of essential goods such as food, spring farming supplies, and holiday necessities, and guarantee adequate coal transport to ensure supply stability during the festival time.

Zhou Changfeng, an official from the passenger transport department of China Railway told the Global Times on Tuesday that over 14,000 passenger trains are scheduled to travel each day during the Spring Festival travel rush, adding 500,000 seats and increasing capacity by 4 percent. Additional trains and nighttime high-speed services are arranged for popular routes.

"We have introduced digital passenger e-invoices, optimized student discount ticket rules, and launched a reservation service for students and migrant workers," Zhou said. He noted that certain trains offer significant discounts, with regular ticket prices cut by up to 80 percent and high-speed train prices by up to 70 percent. For instance, a second-class ticket from Shenyang to Beijing on January 23 is priced at merely 105 yuan ($14.4), compared to the regular fare of 349 yuan.

Tian Yuan, an undergraduate from Sun Yat-sen University, who transferred at Beijing from Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, to Chifeng in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, told the Global Times she was grateful for the new student reservation ticket service accessible through the 12306 online ticket system this year. "It saved us from the stress of juggling final exam preparations while scrambling for tickets," she said.

Tian added that she was happy to secure her ticket early and head home as soon as the holidays begin. "I'm really excited as the Spring Festival draws near," she said, noting that student train ticket discounts, such as 28 percent off on part of her journey, makes the fares more affordable.

Enhanced services at high-speed railway stations not only improve travel efficiency but also create a welcoming atmosphere for passengers. Wang Qiang, a member of staff at Beijing Chaoyang Railway Station, told the Global Times on Tuesday that "priority" passenger lanes have been introduced at some stations in Beijing to fast-track travellers with less than 15 minutes before departure during the peak time.

Wang noted that language translation devices are available at service centers and ticket offices to assist foreign passengers. "Additionally, the Chaoyang station has deployed AI-powered robots in waiting areas to provide personalized guidance, enhancing the station's appeal among passengers," he added.

A woman surnamed Xu, traveling alone with her 21-month-old child from Beijing to Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning Province to visit her family, told the Global Times she appreciated station staff for their attentive service. "They helped me through security and guided me to a priority fast track, making the experience much easier," she said.

"Booking high-speed rail tickets was manageable as I pre-ordered the ticket promptly. Although it was the first day of the travel rush, the crowds weren't overwhelming, and my journey went smoothly," Xu added.

Wang Tuo from 12306.com, China's official railway ticketing platform, told the Global Times on Tuesday that since Spring Festival tickets went on sale on December 31, 2024, over 100 million tickets had been sold as of Tuesday. The reservation service issued 3.84 million student discount tickets and 1.14 million migrant worker tickets.