Group 1 - The 2026 Spring Festival travel season will start on February 2 and end on March 13, lasting for 40 days, with an expected passenger volume of 539 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.0% [1] - The peak travel day before the festival is anticipated to be February 13, while the peak day after the festival is expected to be February 23 [1] - The ticket sales for the first day of the Spring Festival travel season will begin on January 19, 2026 [1] Group 2 - New services will be introduced by the railway ticketing platform 12306, including a limited-time free refund for mistakenly purchased tickets, and enhanced features for ticket purchasing [1] - Additional support will be provided for key passenger groups, including two extra discounted ticket purchases for college graduates seeking jobs in different locations, as well as continued services for students and workers [1] - The customer service center will add a dedicated phone service for elderly passengers aged 60 and above, and will dynamically increase the number of customer service representatives to improve response capabilities [1] Group 3 - Discounts will be implemented for students, children, and disabled military personnel, with loyalty program members receiving up to 15 times and 10 times points on ticket purchases [2] - A flexible and differentiated pricing strategy will be adopted, with significant discounts on less popular train routes, and the minimum discount for high-speed trains reaching 20% [2]

Group 1 - The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush (Chunyun) will start on February 2 and end on March 13, lasting for 40 days [1] - The peak travel day before the festival is expected to be February 13, while the peak day after the festival is anticipated to be February 23 [1] - Train tickets for the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush will go on sale starting January 19 [1] Group 2 - From January 19, the railway 12306 platform will offer a limited-time free refund service for mistakenly purchased tickets [1] - Passengers who buy tickets for travel dates from February 2 onwards can self-process refunds online without fees if done within 30 minutes of purchase and more than 4 hours before departure [1]

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival travel season in China will run from February 2 to March 13, with an expected passenger volume of 539 million, representing a 5% year-on-year increase. The railway department aims to ensure a safe, orderly, and pleasant travel experience for passengers [1]. Group 1: Transportation Capacity - The railway network will leverage modern high-speed rail and new lines opened in 2025 to increase transport capacity. During peak travel days, over 14,000 passenger trains are expected to operate, with a 5.3% increase in seating capacity [2]. - Focus will be on high-demand areas such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, with additional services to popular routes like Xi'an to Chengdu and Dalian to Harbin [2]. Group 2: Ticketing Services - New ticketing services will be introduced, including free refunds for mistakenly purchased tickets and enhanced features on the 12306 platform to improve the purchasing experience [3]. - Special discounts will be provided for key passenger groups, including students and workers, with significant fare reductions for certain demographics [3]. Group 3: Safety and Risk Management - The railway department will enhance the 12306 ticketing system's capacity and security to handle high traffic volumes and prevent ticket scalping [4]. - Real-time data analysis will be employed to adjust ticket availability dynamically, ensuring that both long-distance and short-distance travel needs are met [4]. Group 4: Passenger Guidance - Passengers are encouraged to plan their trips early and utilize the 12306 platform for ticket purchases, including the use of the ticket reservation feature [5]. - The railway department emphasizes the importance of using official channels for ticket purchases to ensure safety and fairness [6].

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival travel season will run from February 2 to March 13, with an expected passenger volume of 539 million, representing a 5.0% year-on-year increase. The peak travel days are anticipated to be February 13 before the festival and February 23 after the festival [2]. Group 1: Passenger Flow and Ticket Sales - The first day of ticket sales will begin on January 19, 2026, with significant passenger flow expected during the Spring Festival [2]. - The railway department will analyze passenger flow characteristics and trends to develop effective operational plans, ensuring a safe and orderly travel experience [6]. Group 2: Transportation Capacity and Services - The railway network will leverage modern infrastructure, including new lines and trains, to increase transport capacity. During peak days, over 14,000 passenger trains may operate, with a 5.3% increase in seating capacity [8]. - Special attention will be given to high-demand areas such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, with additional services planned for popular routes [8]. Group 3: Ticketing Experience Enhancements - New ticketing services will be introduced, including free refunds for mistakenly purchased tickets and enhanced online features to improve the purchasing experience [10]. - Discounts and special services will be provided for students and other key passenger groups, with significant fare reductions available for certain demographics [10]. Group 4: Safety and Risk Management - The railway department will enhance the ticketing system's capacity and security measures to handle high traffic and prevent malicious activities [12]. - Emergency plans will be established to ensure a smooth operation during peak times, focusing on maintaining system stability [12]. Group 5: Demand Management Strategies - Real-time data analysis will be employed to adjust ticket availability dynamically, ensuring that both long-distance and short-distance travel needs are met [14][15]. - The department will prioritize ticket allocation for those who have submitted requests through the waiting list feature, maximizing the chances of securing tickets for travelers [15]. Group 6: Travel Planning Recommendations - Travelers are encouraged to plan their journeys early and utilize the features of the railway ticketing platform to enhance their chances of securing tickets [17]. - The official railway ticketing platform is emphasized as the only legitimate source for purchasing tickets, ensuring safety and fairness in the process [19].

Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush in China is expected to see a total of 539 million passengers, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.0% from the previous year [1] Group 1: Travel Schedule and Capacity - The Spring Festival travel period will last for 40 days, starting from February 2 to March 13, 2026 [1] - The peak travel day before the festival is anticipated to be February 13, while the peak day after the festival is expected on February 23 [1] - The first day of ticket sales for the Spring Festival travel will begin on January 19, 2026 [1] Group 2: Train Operations and Capacity Increase - The railway department plans to scientifically develop the train operation schedule based on regular and weekend train services, with additional passenger trains being arranged [1] - During peak travel periods, over 14,000 passenger trains are expected to be operated in a single day, with seating capacity increasing by 5.3% year-on-year [1] Group 3: Focused Capacity Deployment - The railway department will enhance passenger capacity in regions with concentrated travel demand, such as Beijing, Guangzhou-Shenzhen, and Shanghai-Nanjing-Hangzhou before the festival, and Chengdu, Wuhan, and Nanchang after the festival [1] - Additional night high-speed trains will be introduced on major high-speed rail corridors, including Beijing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Kunming, and Beijing-Harbin [1]

Core Insights - The 2026 Spring Festival travel period will last from February 2 to March 13, with an expected passenger volume of 539 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.0% [1] - The peak travel days are anticipated to be February 13 before the festival and February 23 after the festival [1] - The railway authority plans to increase train services based on passenger demand, with a maximum of over 14,000 trains operating on peak days, and a 5.3% increase in seating capacity [1] Group 1 - The railway department will utilize big data from the 12306 platform to analyze passenger demand in real-time and implement a more precise ticketing strategy [2] - Dynamic adjustments to ticket availability will be made to accommodate both long-distance and short-distance travelers, with additional train services or night trains arranged for concentrated passenger flows [2] - Travelers are advised to plan their trips early and use the 12306 website for timely information and ticket purchasing [2]