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China’s railway network has achieved a historic milestone, handling a record 24.8 million passengers on May 1, according to the China State Railway Group.
This figure, released on Saturday, marks the highest single-day passenger count in the country’s railway history. The group reported that another 19.7 million journeys were expected on Saturday, adding to the surge in travel activity.
Official booking channels revealed that 117 million train tickets had been sold for the May Day holiday period, which runs until Tuesday, underlining the nation’s high demand for domestic travel.
The surge in rail travel reflects a strong resurgence in domestic tourism, a sector that has been pivotal in China’s recovery following the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The boost in passenger numbers also signals a potential increase in consumer spending, which has remained tepid in recent years due to a sluggish economy.
China’s economy, the world’s second-largest, has been grappling with weak consumption and a prolonged downturn in the property market. Despite a range of policies aimed at boosting domestic spending, the country has often turned to exports as a key driver of growth. However, the May 1 travel figures suggest that domestic demand might be showing signs of revival.
Notably, this year’s May 1 figure surpassed the 2025 record by 1.7 million passengers, highlighting the growing confidence in the domestic market.
To meet the surge in demand, the China State Railway Group has added thousands of additional trains to its services for the holiday season. This is a sign of a growing trend of strong consumer activity, signalling a possible shift in the economy’s recovery trajectory.
