China's railways see holiday return peak amid vibrant tourism market

BEIJING - China's railways saw the peak of the holiday return rush on Wednesday, with 24.15 million passenger trips expected on the final day of the National Day holiday, amid strong travel demand and vibrant tourism activity across the country.

A total of 2,449 additional passenger trains were scheduled on Wednesday to cope with the surge in demand, according to China State Railway Group Co, Ltd.

On Tuesday, the country's railways handled 21.6 million passenger trips, marking the third consecutive day with more than 20 million journeys.

Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Chongqing and Shanghai were among the busiest cities for departures and arrivals, while passenger flows were particularly heavy on routes including Beijing-Shanghai, Wuhan-Shanghai, Wuhan-Shenzhen and Xi'an-Chengdu.

Railway authorities across the country added services and expanded overnight operations to facilitate the return rush as China's tourism market remained vibrant during the seven-day holiday, with county-level destinations and nighttime consumption emerging as notable trends.

County-level destinations gained popularity as travelers increasingly sought slower-paced and more immersive experiences away from major cities.

From the coastal county of Lingshui in South China's Hainan province to Mohe, a county-level city on the country's northern frontier, smaller destinations are drawing visitors with distinctive local experiences.

Meanwhile, nighttime consumption flourished in many cities, with cultural performances, night markets, light shows and food fairs extending visitor stays and enriching holiday experiences.