Spring Festival Travel Boom: China Sees Record 2.05 Million Daily Cross-Border Journeys

As the 2026 Spring Festival holiday approaches, China’s National Immigration Administration forecasts that the average daily number of inbound and outbound travelers nationwide will exceed 2.05 million, up about 14.1 percent year-on-year. This figure not only resets travel records for the holiday period, but also reflects a robust rebound in tourism and cross-border social activities.

Immigration authorities highlighted that this growth trend is driven by China’s increasingly optimized visa-free policies and various consumption-stimulating measures, making both outbound travel and inbound experiences more convenient and attractive.

During the holiday period, the immigration authority will also strengthen on-site guidance and deploy sufficient police forces to ensure safe, efficient, and smooth border clearance. Whether travelers are returning home, visiting friends and family, or traveling abroad, these arrangements provide reliable support and peace of mind.

For foreign teachers, international students, and expatriates working in China, these changes mean more travel choices and smoother cross-border experiences. Especially during the Spring Festival — a time of family and cultural celebration — more international friends are combining holiday travel with cultural exploration, making the festival a truly global exchange occasion.

Moreover, this increase also indirectly reflects the full recovery of China’s tourism and lifestyle rhythm after the pandemic. Whether it’s domestic trips, regional travel, or long-distance overseas journeys, Chinese travelers and international visitors alike are celebrating the holiday with action and connecting with the world through their journeys.

It is foreseeable that under this travel momentum, the 2026 Spring Festival holiday will become one of the most vibrant periods of China’s global connectivity, and an excellent opportunity for every foreign friend to experience Chinese culture and the festive atmosphere firsthand.