China Launches "Year of the Horse" Travel Rush with Record Volume

The Spring Festival travel rush officially reached its peak today as millions of Chinese tourists began their journey home or abroad for the Lunar New Year holidays.

China’s Ministry of Transport expects a record 9.5 billion passenger trips during this 40-day period, a significant jump from 2025.

This year’s "extra-long" nine-day break has triggered a massive surge in outbound tourism, with Thailand reclaiming its spot as the top international destination for Chinese travelers, followed closely by a resurgent interest in Russia and Northern Europe.

However, the "golden week" has its losers; travel to Japan has plummeted following recent diplomatic tensions and safety warnings issued by Beijing.

This shift has forced regional airlines to pivot their capacity toward Southeast Asia and Australia to meet the skyrocketing demand.

For the global tourism industry, the 2026 Lunar New Year serves as the ultimate litmus test for the "recovery era," as Chinese spending power once again dictates the winners and losers of the international travel market.