Official data from the Ministry of Transport indicates a notable rise in inter-regional travel across China during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday, ending on Saturday. Approximately 752.84 million inter-regional trips were reported during this period. On average, 250.95 million such trips are expected daily during the holiday, representing a 56.1% increase from last year and a 20.9% increase from 2019.
In particular, railway passenger traffic is anticipated to surge, with an estimated 49.7 million trips, averaging 16.6 million daily, marking a remarkable 75.3 per cent rise from the past year and a notable 20.7 per cent increase from 2019 levels.
Road passenger flow is expected to reach approximately 696 million rounds, averaging 232 million daily, a substantial 55.1 per cent rise from 2023 and a significant 21.8 per cent increase compared to 2019.
Waterway passenger traffic is projected at around 2.8 million trips, with a daily average of 930,000 visits, indicating an impressive 84.5 per cent surge from 2023 and a notable 50.2 per cent decrease from 2019.
Meanwhile, air passenger traffic is estimated to hit 5.1 million rounds, with a daily average of 1.7 million, demonstrating a 23.6 per cent increase from 2023 and a slight 1.7 per cent rise from 2019.
The Qingming Festival, also known as the Tomb-Sweeping Day Festival, is expected to fuel robust demand for travel, including family visits, ancestral remembrance, outings, and tourism.
This traditional Chinese festival is observed to honor ancestors and pay respects to departed loved ones. It typically falls in early April, marking the beginning of spring. During this time, families visit the gravesites of their ancestors to clean and decorate them, offer sacrifices, and burn incense as a sign of remembrance. Additionally, it’s a time for outdoor activities such as flying kites and enjoying nature, making it a significant cultural and social event in China.