China Projects Record 9.5 Billion Trips as Lunar New Year Travel Rush Tests Economic Sentiment

Beijing, Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
As the 2026 Lunar New Year approaches, China has initiated the world’s largest annual human migration, projecting a staggering 9.5 billion passenger trips over the 40-day period. This record-breaking volume serves as a critical barometer for consumer confidence and service sector recovery within the world’s second-largest economy. In a significant structural shift, self-driving is expected to account for 80% of these journeys, while the railway system has already logged over 1 billion trips. This unprecedented mobility highlights both the resilience of traditional family reunions and the evolving economic landscape facing Chinese households.