2023 Mid-Autumn Festival Travel in Numbers: A Record-Breaking Holiday Season for China
As the Mid-Autumn Festival came to a close, various datasets have been released to highlight the scale and trends of travel and transportation during the holiday period. According to the Ministry of Transport, the total number of people traveling across regions is estimated to have exceeded 2.05 billion, with a total of over 600 million people moving across regions during the holiday.
19 September 2024
Railway passenger traffic is expected to have reached 42.99 million, while road travel was dominated by short- to medium-distance self-driving trips, with over 50% of cars on the road being new energy vehicles. A notable trend emerged in the way people traveled during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday: new energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for more than half of all road trips, a significant increase from previous years. According to data from the Ministry of Transport, most travelers opted for short- to medium-distance self-driving trips, with NEVs dominating the roads. This shift towards eco-friendly transportation is a welcome sign for China's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development.
The fact that NEVs now account for more than half of all road trips is a testament to the growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles in China. As the country continues to invest in its EV infrastructure, we can expect to see even more people turning to NEVs for their transportation needs. This, in turn, will help to reduce China's reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impact of transportation. As China's economy continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how this trend evolves and whether other countries follow suit.
The aviation sector also saw a significant surge in passenger numbers, with an estimated 5.11 million people traveling by air during the holiday period. A notable highlight of the Mid-Autumn Festival travel rush came from the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, one of China's busiest transportation hubs. According to data, the airport's port of entry has seen a record-breaking 10 million passengers passing through its gates so far this year, with the number expected to continue climbing. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the airport, which has been working to improve its infrastructure and services to accommodate the growing number of travelers. The surge in passenger traffic at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is a testament to the city's importance as a major economic and cultural center in southern China, attracting visitors from all over the country and beyond. As the airport continues to expand its capacity and enhance its facilities, it is likely to play an even more critical role in facilitating travel and trade in the region.
Separate data also showed that over 107 million people took part in tourist activities during the holiday period. These statistics provide a snapshot of the vast scale and complexity of China's transportation networks during peak holiday periods. As the country's economy continues to grow and more people have the means to travel, it is likely that these numbers will continue to rise in the coming years.
