The Qingming Festival experiences a significant surge in railway travellers

Thursday, April 4, 2024

China has initiated its transportation strategy in anticipation of the Qingming Festival, accommodating the expected increase in travellers heading for family reunions, sightseeing, and the traditional tomb-sweeping rituals. This year, the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on a Thursday, serving as a time for honoring the deceased and ancestor worship.

From Wednesday to Sunday, the country’s railway network is set to manage an estimated 75 million journeys, with daily passenger trips potentially reaching 15 million. The peak of travel is forecasted for Thursday, with about 17.5 million passenger trips.

To cope with the demand, the railway system will adjust to a peak day operation plan, operating roughly 11,600 passenger trains each day. Key railway hubs will have additional trains and staff on standby to manage the flow efficiently.

Cui Lin, a spokeswoman for Beijing West Railway Station, shared that the station is preparing to handle 724,000 passengers, with both high-speed and conventional lines running extra trains to ensure seamless travel during the festival. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport anticipates this year’s festival to mark a historical high in national highway traffic, with expressway volumes expected to exceed 60 million vehicles on the festival’s first day, nearly doubling a typical day’s traffic.

The holiday period is likely to see an uptick in travelers participating in tomb sweeping, outings, and visits to parks, suburban tourist spots, and cemeteries, highlighting the cultural and familial importance of the Qingming Festival in China.

« Back to Page