China Gears Up for Busy Spring Festival Travel Season

China Gears Up for Busy Spring Festival Travel Season

The upcoming Spring Festival holiday in China is expected to witness a surge in cross-border travel, with an estimated 1.85 million trips per day, marking a 9.5% increase compared to the previous year. This projection comes from the National Immigration Administration.

Large international airports in China are likely to experience a slight increase in cross-border travel during the holiday period. The administration predicts a peak in outbound passenger traffic for three days, starting from Tuesday, the first day of the holiday, until Thursday. Additionally, airports are expected to see an influx of passengers on February 3rd and 4th, the final two days of the Spring Festival holiday.

Forecasts for the average daily number of cross-border travelers during the holiday from four major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu have been revealed. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is anticipated to see the highest number, with an estimated 95,000 passengers daily.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, the administration has instructed ports across the country to strengthen monitoring of cross-border travel flows and promptly issue relevant information to assist travelers in planning their trips effectively. Additionally, ports have been directed to deploy sufficient staff and open enough passageways to expedite exit-entry procedures, ensuring that Chinese travelers wait no more than 30 minutes in line before passing through.

The eight-day Spring Festival holiday and the slight decrease in international flight ticket prices compared to the same period last year have fueled a surge in outbound travel, according to LY.com, a travel agency based in Suzhou. Trip.com Group, another travel agency, reported in a recent study that Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia are among the most popular destinations for outbound travel during the Spring Festival.

Su Menghui, an intern at an internet company in Shanghai, plans an 11-day trip to Japan during the Spring Festival holiday, visiting Wakayama and Hokkaido. The 23-year-old meticulously planned the trip three months in advance, as extended holidays like National Day and Spring Festival are her preferred times for international travel, despite the typically higher flight costs. She also considers weekend trips to nearby countries like Japan and South Korea, finding a weekend "sufficient" for a trip from Shanghai to Jeju Island in South Korea.