China's railway network recorded nearly 1.97 billion passenger trips in the first five months of 2026, a 5.7 percent increase from the same period last year and a new record for the January-May window, according to data released by the China State Railway Group on Saturday.
The state-owned operator said the figure reflects sustained growth in domestic travel demand alongside the continued expansion of the country's rail infrastructure, which now spans more than 160,000 kilometres including over 48,000 kilometres of high-speed railway. The previous record for the January-May period was set in 2025 as travel volumes continued their post-pandemic recovery trajectory.
China Railway attributed part of the growth to an expanded transit visa-free policy, which has encouraged more foreign visitors to travel within the country. More than 10 million foreign passenger trips were recorded on the railway network in the first five months of 2026, marking a 35.5 percent increase year-on-year, the company said. The policy, which allows citizens from several countries to transit through designated Chinese cities without a visa for limited periods, has been progressively widened since early 2025.
Cross-border rail services also saw significant growth during the period. The China-Laos Railway, a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project connecting Kunming in southwestern China with the Lao capital Vientiane, handled 167,000 passenger trips, up 35 percent from a year earlier. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong high-speed railway recorded 14.53 million cross-border trips, a 14.5 percent increase, according to China Railway data. These figures indicate growing regional connectivity as rail links between China and neighbouring economies continue to develop.
Beyond passenger volume, the operator has been expanding its range of services to attract different travel segments. It coordinated with local cultural and tourism authorities to operate 1,400 tourist trains nationwide during the first five months, linking major cities with scenic destinations across multiple provinces. New initiatives include preferential fares for elderly passengers, expanded quiet carriage sections, and pet-friendly travel options, the company said.
The record passenger figures come as China continues to invest heavily in rail infrastructure as a tool for regional economic integration and domestic consumption growth. Government policy has promoted stronger coordination between railway operations and the tourism industry, with rail connectivity viewed as a way to drive spending in less-developed inland regions. China's railway network has become a central pillar of the country's transport strategy, moving more passengers than any other national rail system globally.
Despite the growth, the railway system continues to face capacity constraints during peak travel periods. Demand for tickets on popular routes far exceeds available seats during major holidays such as Lunar New Year and National Day, a recurring issue that the operator has sought to address through dynamic pricing and temporary service additions. The challenge of balancing growing passenger demand with infrastructure capacity remains an ongoing operational consideration for the railway network.
Sources: gov.cn/SCIO
