China has begun the world's largest annual human migration, known as Chunyun. Authorities estimate that during the 40-day holiday period, the country's residents will make a record 9.5 billion journeys. This year's festivities, heralding the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, are set to become a powerful boost for the national economy thanks to an extended work-free period and unprecedented mobility of citizens using the expanded transportation network.
Absolute migration record
Authorities predict 9.5 billion journeys over 40 days, making Chunyun the largest periodic movement of people in human history.
Boost for the economy
Extending the holiday to 9 days is intended to drive domestic consumption and support the tourism and retail sectors in the Year of the Horse.
Unique calendar year
The Year of the Fire Horse in Chinese tradition symbolizes energy and dynamism, which officials interpret as a harbinger of economic revival.
The start of Chinese New Year celebrations, marked by the Fire Horse, has unleashed the most powerful wave of population movement in history. This phenomenon, referred to as Chunyun, poses the greatest logistical challenge for the country's infrastructure each year. In 2026, the significance of this event is particularly high, as the government in Beijing expects to reach a threshold of 9.5 billion journeys. This is a record figure, considering previous global passenger traffic statistics. Chinese people traditionally use this time to return to their hometowns, which, given the current economic model based on labor migration to major metropolises, necessitates the movement of hundreds of millions of people. Mass New Year migrations became a permanent feature of Chinese reality after Deng Xiaoping's reforms in the 1980s, when millions of farmers began moving to cities in search of industrial work. Economists and state officials place great hopes in this year's holiday season. Authorities have consciously decided to add an extra day off, extending the break to nine days. This strategy aims to stimulate domestic consumption, which has been identified as a key priority for the stability of China's GDP in the coming year. Increased spending on travel, gifts, and tourism services is expected to revitalize the retail and catering sectors. As media emphasize, the scale of traffic at airports, railway stations, and highways serves as a reliable barometer of the country's economic health and a test of the efficiency of modern high-speed rail systems. 9.5 mld — planned journeys during this year's holidays The increased movement is not limited to traditional family visits. A growing number of wealthier citizens are opting for tourist trips, both domestic and international. The dynamic development of infrastructure in China's most remote provinces has made traveling easier than ever before. Nevertheless, for millions of migrant workers, Chunyun remains the only opportunity in the year to meet with family, giving this migration a deep social and emotional dimension. The Ministry of Transport appeals for patience and the use of digital booking platforms to avoid congestion at key transport hubs. Estimated number of journeys in billions: Previous records: 8.4, 2026 Forecast: 9.5 In Chinese culture, the New Year, or Spring Festival, is the most important moment of the year, determined by the lunar calendar, which makes its date movable and usually falls between late January and late February.