Return Travel Peak Arrives: China Railway 12306 Sells Over 310,000,000 Spring Festival Tickets
- Culture & Lifestyle
By
Updated February 21, 2026
As the Lunar New Year holiday enters its latter half, China’s railway system has entered the peak period of return travel. On February 21 (the fifth day of the lunar calendar), approximately 16,800,000 passengers are expected to travel, with 2,052 additional trains scheduled.
By 8:00 a.m. on February 21, China Railway 12306, including website and mobile app, had sold over 310,000,000 Spring Festival train tickets. Popular departure cities include Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Shanghai, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. Popular arrival cities are Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Xi’an, and Zhengzhou.
Regarding remaining ticket availability for February 22–23, routes with sufficient seats include Shanghai to Xuzhou, Hefei, Wenzhou, Zhengzhou, and Changsha; Guangzhou to Nanning and Changsha; Shenzhen to Changsha; and Hangzhou to Fuyang. Routes with some remaining tickets include Beijing to Harbin, Zhengzhou, Baotou, and Hohhot; Fuzhou to Beijing; Shanghai to Fuyang and Bozhou; Guangzhou to Guiyang; Xi’an to Lanzhou; and Shenyang to Harbin.
Railway authorities are coordinating high speed and conventional train resources to ensure safe, orderly, and comfortable travel. Passengers are advised to monitor service information and weather updates, allow ample time for station entry, and board according to ticketed train number, date, route, and seat to maintain an organized travel environment.
Sources: IT Home
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