China's railways carried over 2.3 billion passengers in first half of 2026
Transport infrastructure is the circulatory system of any major economy. When trains run more frequently and passenger numbers rise, it is a sure sign that a country is on the move — literally and figuratively. A record 2.3 billion trips in six months reflect not only a well‑developed route network but also growing population mobility — people travelling to study, work, holiday and return home. The one‑third increase in foreign passengers is further evidence that China is becoming more open and attractive to the world.
According to data released on Monday by China State Railway Group (China Railway), a record number of passenger trips — over 2.3 billion — were made nationwide in the first half of 2026, up 5 percent from the previous year. Over the six months, an average of 11,468 passenger trains operated daily, up 5.8 percent year‑on‑year. During this period, the railway system effectively handled peak loads during the Qingming, May Day and Dragon Boat Festival holidays, repeatedly setting new passenger traffic records. On 1 May alone, daily passenger traffic nationwide reached 24.844 million trips, setting a new all‑time high.
China's railway network continued to expand in the first half of the year: the China‑Laos railway recorded 188,000 trips, up 25.9% year‑on‑year, while the Guangzhou‑Shenzhen‑Hong Kong high‑speed railway handled 16.96 million trips, up 13.8%. Adapting to the increase in passenger flow driven by visa‑free transit, China's railway network facilitated a rise in foreign passenger trips, recording more than 12.31 million foreign passenger journeys in the first half, up 33.6% year‑on‑year.
China's railway network is one of the largest and busiest in the world. By the end of 2025, the network's total length exceeded 160,000 kilometres, including over 45,000 kilometres of high‑speed lines. Visa‑free transit policies for citizens of several countries and the expansion of international routes are boosting foreign tourism and business travel. As CCTV+ reports. Passenger traffic is expected to remain high in the second half of the year, driven by the summer season and national holidays.
