Qingming Holiday Sees 845 Million Spring Travel Trips in China

The Qingming Festival holiday this year saw an impressive total of 845.38 million travel trips across China, reflecting a notable increase of 6 percent compared to the previous year. Families seized this opportunity to honor their ancestors through traditional tomb-sweeping rituals while simultaneously enjoying the captivating beauty of spring blooms and scenic attractions.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the breakdown of travel during this three-day holiday reveals that road travel accounted for 778.45 million trips, marking a 5.8 percent increase from last year. Railway trips reached 57.68 million, an 8.2 percent uptick, whereas waterway transport facilitated about 3.7 million trips, reflecting a rise of 9.8 percent. In contrast, civil aviation saw a decrease, with only approximately 5.5 million trips recorded, down by 1.3 percent.

The substantial increase in travel this season can be attributed to the overlap of the Qingming Festival—a time-honored occasion for commemorating the deceased—and the spring breaks for students in numerous regions, which intensified family outings and parent-child journeys.

Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs revealed that on the festival's first day, over 66,300 funeral service institutions across the nation provided on-site memorial services, attracting close to 19.29 million visitors. Noteworthy is the fact that around 12.10 million individuals participated in environmentally-friendly memorial methods, representing 62.73 percent of the total on-site visitors.

Beyond merely honoring ancestors, authorities across the country also encouraged patriotic reflection and appreciation for China's historical heritage during the holiday. This served as a vital reminder for people to acknowledge and cherish the hard-earned joy of contemporary life.

In Nanjing, the Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery saw many visitors under the verdant canopy of pines and cypresses. Children participated in commemorative activities, placing flowers and bowing in respect. Such acts underscored the blend of cultural heritage and familial bonding observed during the festivities.

In addition, the introduction of spring breaks for students has extended the traditional three-day Qingming holiday, transforming it into a longer vacation lasting about five to six days. This shift presents families with abundant opportunities to travel further and spend quality time together.

For instance, in Yuyuantan Park in Beijing, cherry blossoms were in full bloom, enchanting numerous visitors. A traveler from Guangdong expressed her delight at bringing her children to experience the famed sites of Beijing, perfectly timed with the aligning school break.

Insights from Qunar, a leading Chinese travel platform, reveal that long-distance travel exceeding 800 kilometers surged by over 30 percent, with families proving to be the primary travelers. The data indicates a staggering 85 percent increase in passenger numbers aged 13-18 and a 55 percent rise in those under 12.

Professor Zhang Weifu of Nanjing University of Finance and Economics noted that the extended holiday created ample travel opportunities, showcasing the strong spending power of family groups.

As spring blooms brightly across the nation—from cherry blossoms in Hangzhou to magnolias in Suzhou—these floral displays are not only enjoyed by tourists but have also sparked a thriving 'flower-viewing economy.' Booking platform Fliggy reported a staggering 72 percent year-on-year increase in travel and sightseeing package sales since March.

The vibrant seasonal scenery has become a ritual for many during the Qingming Festival holiday. Reports indicate that on the holiday's first day, over 30,000 visitors flocked to various parks in Shanghai, while Beijing's municipal parks received nearly 586,000 visits, emphasizing the appeal of nature and cultural activities during this festive period.