According to Ministry of Transport figures reported by state media, over 128 million passenger trips were made on China’s transportation network during the New Year holidays, up 78.4% from 2023 and 33.1% from 2022.
According to the Global Times, the number of railway passenger trips increased by 177.5% year on year, while air passenger trips increased by 140.3%.
Cold weather did not deter people from flocking to music festivals and concerts across the country, while family group outings increased, according to the government, which added that ice and snow leisure had increased in East China, Central China, South China, and other places.
The ministry of culture and tourism said that provinces in the north, such as Heilongjiang, took advantage of the wintry cold by promoting ice and snow tourism and extending the operating hours of key scenic spots, subways, and buses.
Beijing also distributed vouchers to help stimulate holiday demand and the economy, as urban ice and snow-themed projects and theme parks have grown in importance as economic revenue generators for many cities.
According to the Ministry of Transport, passenger trips by air are expected to reach 5.19 million, up 140.3% year on year, while trips by highway and waterways are expected to increase by 46.1% and 72.9%, respectively, from Saturday to Monday.