Passenger Rail Transport in China
Traveling by train has been one of the principal transport methods in China for decades. In recent years, with the improved and efficient operation of railway system, rail transport has become even more popular, and this brings a great volume of passengers.
In 2023, China railway remarkably transferred 3,680 million passengers. This contributed a lot to the operation of high speed railways, as more passengers were willing to travel by rail due to the high speed, reasonable ticket price, comfortable cabin environment, and more departures of the high speed trains.
The greatest challenge to China's rail transport occurs during holidays. Within these periods, train rides shoot up dramatically, especially during Chinese New Year holiday and National Day holiday.
Passenger Rail Transport During Chinese New Year
Rail transport accomodates the largest number of passengers during Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), known as Spring Festival Travel Rush. It lasts about 40 days, including 15 days before Chinese New Year's Day and 25 days after that. Passengers mainly consist of migrant workers, college students, and tourists.
New Year's Eve Reunion Dinner has great significance regarding Chinese traditions; most rural migrant workers will return home from work in distant developed cities, and train is the most affordable way for them. Meanwhile, the students begin their winter vacation and return home from study places in large cities, so they are also a big part. In addition, the Spring Festival holiday is one of the longest holidays in the country, which is a good opportunity to travel for those who have gone through a whole year working hard.
In 2024, passengers traveling by railway during the rush reached up to 484 million.
Passenger Rail Transport During National Day Holiday
China’s National Day holiday usually starts on October 1st and ends on October 7th, the other longest holiday in the country besides Spring Festival holiday. The climate during the period is very pleasant, neither too cold nor too hot. So many people go traveling, which brings great money for the tourism industry, hence reputed “Golden Week.” Actually, the “Golden Week” of the rail transport starts 3 days ahead of the holiday on September 28th and lasts for 10 days. During the “golden days” of 2023, roughly 141 million trips were made by train, increased by 58% over the same period of 2022.
1. Although temporary trains are put into operation to meet the increasing demand in these peak seasons, the carriages may still be overloaded with more passengers, especially in the hard seat carriages, which make the jouney rather uncomfortable. In this case, foreign visitors are not suggested to travel by train during peak seasons, or make your China trip another time.
2. Train ticket will be in great demand and it is difficult to get one. If you have decided to travel by rail during the peak seasons, buy a ticket as early as possible. The tickets are now available 15 days ahead of departure.
Further Reading: China Train Travel Tips
In 2023, the overall freight volume on trains reached 3.9 billion tons. The main freight goods are still coal, ores, and minerals.
In 2023, China railway remarkably transferred 3,680 million passengers. This contributed a lot to the operation of high speed railways, as more passengers were willing to travel by rail due to the high speed, reasonable ticket price, comfortable cabin environment, and more departures of the high speed trains.
| Year | Passengers Volume (million) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,680 | 128.6 |
| 2022 | 1,610 | -36.6 (Hit by COVID-19) |
| 2021 | 2,540 | 17.6 (Hit by COVID-19) |
| 2020 | 2,160 | -39.5 (Hit by COVID-19) |
| 2019 | 3,570 | 7.7 |
| 2018 | 3,317 | 9.2 |
| 2017 | 3,038 | 9.6 |
| 2016 | 2,773 | 11.1 |
| 2015 | 2,496 | 9.9 |
| 2014 | 2,324 | 12.0 |
| 2013 | 2,106 | 10.8 |
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Passenger Rail Transport During Chinese New YearRail transport accomodates the largest number of passengers during Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), known as Spring Festival Travel Rush. It lasts about 40 days, including 15 days before Chinese New Year's Day and 25 days after that. Passengers mainly consist of migrant workers, college students, and tourists.
New Year's Eve Reunion Dinner has great significance regarding Chinese traditions; most rural migrant workers will return home from work in distant developed cities, and train is the most affordable way for them. Meanwhile, the students begin their winter vacation and return home from study places in large cities, so they are also a big part. In addition, the Spring Festival holiday is one of the longest holidays in the country, which is a good opportunity to travel for those who have gone through a whole year working hard.
In 2024, passengers traveling by railway during the rush reached up to 484 million.
| Year | Passengers Volume (million) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 484 | 39 |
| 2023 | 348 | 37.4 |
| 2022 | 253 | 16 |
| 2021 (Influenced by COVID-19.) | 218 | 3.5 |
| 2020 (No Chunyun this year because of COVID-19.) | / | / |
| 2019 (January 21st - March 1st) | 410 | 7.4 |
| 2018 (February 1st - March 12th) | 382 | 6.8 |
| 2017 (January 13th - February 21st) | 357 | 10.1 |
| 2016 (January 24th - March 3rd) | 325 | 10.2 |
| 2015 (February 4th - March 15th) | 295 | 10.4 |
| 2014 (January 16th - February 24th) | 266 | 12 |
Passenger Rail Transport During National Day HolidayChina’s National Day holiday usually starts on October 1st and ends on October 7th, the other longest holiday in the country besides Spring Festival holiday. The climate during the period is very pleasant, neither too cold nor too hot. So many people go traveling, which brings great money for the tourism industry, hence reputed “Golden Week.” Actually, the “Golden Week” of the rail transport starts 3 days ahead of the holiday on September 28th and lasts for 10 days. During the “golden days” of 2023, roughly 141 million trips were made by train, increased by 58% over the same period of 2022.
| Year | Passengers Volume (million) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 (One day more than other years due to Mid-autumn Festival on Oct.4) | 141 | 58 |
| 2022 | 72.16 | -39.87 (Caused by COVID-19) |
| 2021 | 120 | -5.4 (Caused by COVID-19) |
| 2020 | 126.87 | -16 (Caused by COVID-19) |
| 2019 | 138 | 5.4 |
| 2018 | 131 | 10.8 |
| 2017 (One day more than other years due to Mid-autumn Festival on Oct.4) | 132 | 11.6 |
| 2016 | 108.34 | 9.7 |
| 2015 | 98.80 | 8.6 |
| 2014 | 91.01 | 10.8 |
| 2013 | 82.12 | 12.5 |
Tips for traveling by rail during peak seasons:
2. Train ticket will be in great demand and it is difficult to get one. If you have decided to travel by rail during the peak seasons, buy a ticket as early as possible. The tickets are now available 15 days ahead of departure.
Further Reading: China Train Travel TipsRailway Freight Transport in China
| Year | Goods Freight (billion tons) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3.91 | 0.2 |
| 2022 | 3.90 | 4.7 |
| 2021 | 3.72 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3.58 | 4.1 |
| 2019 | 3.44 | 7.8 |
| 2018 | 3.19 | 9.3 |
| 2017 | 2.92 | 10.1 |
| 2016 | 2.65 | -2.3 |
| 2015 | 2.71 | -11.6 |
| 2014 | 3.07 | -4.7 |
| 2013 | 3.97 | 1.6 |
- Last updated on Mar. 27, 2024 by Brenda Lian -