Chunyun - Spring Festival Travel Rush in China
The 2020 Chunyun is from January 10 to February 18, when train tickets will be under great demand. TravelChinaGuide recommends you to avoid traveling to China during the period or book the tickets as early as possible. |
 See Video of Spring Festival Travel |
What is Chunyun?
Chunyun, also known as Chinese New Year Migration, Spring Festival Travel Rush, Chinese New Year Travel Rush, Lunar New Year Travel Rush is the largest human migration on earth happening annually. It usually begins 15 days ahead of the Chinese New Year and 25 days after, lasting for 40 days. The Chunyun 2020 lasts from January 10 to February 18. During the Spring Festival Rush, China, especially its railway system, faces an extremely high traffic load, which results in great difficulties to obtain a ticket, crowded railway stations and train carriages… 
2019 / 2020 / 2021 China Public Holiday Calendar for your reference
What are the reasons of Chinese New Year Migration?
Millions of people working or studying out of their hometowns will be hurrying home to reunite with families as the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) approaches. This long-held tradition is the main reason for the rush. The other is that the holiday is one of the two week-long holidays of the year, a perfect travel time for many people.
Traveling by Train during Spring Festival Travel Rush
Try not to travel by train during the Chinese New Year Festival. If have to, below are some tips for you to avoid troubles:
Buy tickets as early as possible
If your China tour is happen to be arranged during the Chinese Lunar New Year, you had better make early plan and contact a travel agency or ticket agency to book ticket for you.
To book the ticket on your own, you have to be in China, know some Chinese, and also have a Chinese bank card that supports online payment if booking through internet. Now a ticket can be bought through internet and telephone 30 days in advance and 28 days prior to departure at stations or some ticket windows in towns and cities; due to adoption of real-name ticket policy and identity verification, some ticket outlets in downtown are unable to issue tickets for foreign/ Hong Kong/ Macau/ Taiwan passengers. For detailed methods of booking a ticket, read How to Buy Tickets and How to Buy Tickets Online.
Please note that if you book through internet, you just need to pick up your ticket before departure at stations by showing your valid ID certificate, usually passport. During the Spring Festival Rush, there are more chances to get a ticket through internet than purchasing at stations or ticket windows.
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Reach the station at least 1.5 hours prior for boarding process
During the Chinese New Year Travel Rush, the steps of taking a train will take longer time as everywhere of railway stations are crowded with people, so you are advised to get to the station at least 1.5 hours prior to departure. Most stations will set temporary waiting rooms outside of station halls and air-condition and heat are not available, so remember to wear warm clothes as most cities in China are cold during Spring Festival.
Travel light & take care of your luggage
Avoid taking heavy luggage as it will be inconvenient for you waiting in lines to enter the station hall, check in, and get onboard. Also, take good care of your luggage when you are in the crowd. After you get into your carriage, keep your luggage in sight or put it under your lower berth, and try not to expose your personal information to strangers.
Upon arrival, get to your hotel by official transport
Do no throw away your ticket after arriving at your destination, as the ticket carries your personal information. When you get out of a station, ignore the “kind-hearted” venders and take official taxies or buses to your hotel.
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Railway Passenger Figures during Chunyun
| Year | Passengers Volume (million) | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 (January 21st - March 1st) | 410 | 7.4 |
| 2018 (February 1st - March 12th) | 382 | 6.8 |
| 2017 (January 13th - February 21st) | 357 | 10.1 |
| 2016 (January 24th - March 3rd) | 325 | 10.2 |
| 2015 (February 4th - March 15th) | 295 | 10.4 |
| 2014 (January 16th - February 24th) | 266 | 12 |
| 2013 (January 26th - March 6th) | 240 | 12.1 |
Further Reading:Train Travel in China during Holidays
Passenger Rail Transport in China
China Train Travel - A Beginner’s Guide
I thought the journey was very good, the train left at 22.00, so it was overnight. I had a soft sleeper and was in the top bunk. This may be a hassle for unfit people or fat people, being fit though it was no problem getting up. The bunk itself was very nice to sleep in and managed to get a full 8 hours which was great. Boarding might have been the biggest worry, just getting on, there wasn't much English in the stations. Found the waiting room though using some street smarts and once getting on, it was full steam ahead. The conductors in the rail hall though were all very nice and using hand signals we manage to get the job done. A massive crowd also helps to follow.
Facilities are pretty good, there's a toilet and boiling water for hot noodles which all the locals seemed to be getting into.
Overall a pleasant journey and I would defiantly recommend this company for their services and this mode of transport to other travelers. Thank you for your help and services....More
I would recommend everyone to travel by train in China and using your booking service.
The only suggestion would be to make sure that the currier service can speak English as we had little problem with receiving our tickets because of the currier's misunderstanding.
The train trip from Chongqing to Yueyang started out with some confusion because I didn't know which station I was departing from. I started out at Longtousi, but was re-directed to CQ Bei. The departure station wasn't written in English on the ticket. The train ride was relaxing and enjoyable. I definitely recommend traveling by train whenever possible. The train was almost 2 hours late arriving in YueYang, which I didn't know until another passenger told me. My hosts in Yueyang explained that this is not an uncommon occurrence. It would be good for travelers to be aware of this, in case they are trying to connect with another transportation service. The bullet train from Yueyang to Shanghai was very easy for a foreigner to take, and the Hongqiao station in Shanghai was easy to navigate, as well as to take the subway. As a foreigner traveling in your beautiful country, I appreciate your service when scheduling my travels!...More
I highly recommend all foreigners travelling to China, who plan to travel by train, to purchase the train tickets in advance. It saves a lot of time, it is easy and straight forward. You and team did a great job, thank you.
Train ride was our favourite, its no hussle, comfortable and easy. Every train arrived and departed on time. Its easy to check in and find our train. High speed train have a very comfortable 2nd class seat, and soft sleeper train is very comfortable (we were blessed with good bunk mate as well in each of our train). Plus the view is great....More
IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY TO TAKE SUB WAY TO XINTIANDI HOTEL BEIJING DURING THIS RUSH DAY?
Do I have to take Privat transport ?
Thanks