Beijing, record movements for Lunar New Year
During the festivities, local authorities predicted a 9.5% increase in flows in and out of the country compared to 2024. Airlines have increased flights, and the fourth runway at Guangzhou airport has been inaugurated. On the domestic tourism front, 9 billion rail journeys are expected.
Beijing (AsiaNews) - The Lunar New Year in China will mark a new record for travel: according to the National Immigration Administration, an average of 1.85 million cross-border movements per day are expected in and out of the country over the festive period, an increase of 9.5% compared to last year. Every year, millions of people move to reunite with loved ones or to reach their holiday destinations, giving rise to the world's largest migration phenomenon.
Lunar New Year, also known as the ‘Spring Festival’ (chunjie), is the most cherished holiday in China, marked by ancient traditions and grand celebrations. It is also celebrated in other Asian countries and 2025 will be the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom and transformation. Because of its ancient origins and the grandeur with which it is celebrated in China, chunjie was recognised as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco in December 2024.
The main international airports of the People's Republic, Beijing Capital (North China), Shanghai Pudong (East China), Guangzhou Baiyun (South China) and Chengdu Tianfu (Southwest China), are preparing to welcome these flows.
On the instructions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Chinese airlines have increased the frequency of international and inter-regional flights during the 40 days of Chunyun, the peak period of the Lunar New Year. Air China, for instance, plans to add another 200 international flights to the 3,400 recently added. In addition, CCTV News, China's main state broadcaster, reported that Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport recently inaugurated a new runway to facilitate take-offs and landings, becoming the first four-runway airport in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The peak passenger flow is expected to be concentrated between 28 January, the eve of the Lunar New Year, and 4 February, the last day of the ‘golden week’ (huangjin zhou), the holiday period for most Chinese workers.
Figures from Umetrip - an app that provides real-time flight information - show that more than 1.72 million international airline tickets have already been booked (up 21 per cent from 2024) and 9.58 million domestic tickets. ‘In terms of outbound travel, family trips are dominating the market. Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, the Nordic countries, Australia, New Zealand and Spain are the most popular destinations,’ Jia Jianqiang, CEO of travel agency “6renyou” told the Global Times.
For those who have chosen to stay within national borders, the train is the preferred option to reach their holiday destination. Authorities predict an unprecedented 9 billion rail journeys during the chunyun. The most popular destinations reflect the country's different climates: in the north, Harbin attracts tourists for its famous Ice Sculpture Festival and ski resorts, while many residents of colder regions head to the south in search of milder temperatures.
.png)
