In the first quarter of 2026, the total number of passengers transported by railways in China reached 1.133 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%. In the first quarter, 627 tourist trains were launched nationwide, effectively promoting the development of tourism economy, silver economy, and ice and snow economy.

In the first quarter, the daily average number of passenger trains operated by railways nationwide was 12072, a year-on-year increase of 7.1%. Strengthen transportation organization during peak periods such as Spring Festival travel rush and New Year's Day holiday. Based on the pre-sale and standby ticket purchase data of 12306 tickets, temporary passenger trains, high-speed trains, and ordinary speed passenger trains will be added during peak periods to expand transportation capacity and maximize the satisfaction of passenger travel needs.

The integration of railway and tourism drives consumption. The railway department insists on driving trains towards scenic spots, actively adapting to the needs of tourists for spring outings, outings, and flower viewing. It vigorously operates distinctive tourist trains such as the "Panda Special Train", "Jinlu Time Express", "Hospitality Shandong Qilu No.1", "Enjoying Longjiang Silver Travel Express", and "Seeking Dreams Silk Road", and launches full journey tourism products such as ice and snow tourism, red tourism, and health tourism, activating cultural and tourism resources along the line. In the first quarter, 627 tourist trains were launched nationwide, effectively promoting the development of tourism economy, silver economy, and ice and snow economy. Focusing on emerging passenger flows such as festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances, deepening cooperation with government departments, industry associations, ticketing platforms, etc., customized themed trains such as "fan special trains", "fan special trains", "study special trains", and "flower viewing special trains" have been launched to activate the "theme train+" economy, create new consumption scenarios, and promote the development of new consumption formats. At the same time, the railway department has carefully organized cross-border passenger transport. The Guangzhou Shenzhen Hong Kong high-speed railway has sent 8.66 million cross-border passengers, up 17.7% year on year, and the China Laos railway has sent 112000 cross-border passengers, up 31.6% year on year. China Mongolia, China Russia, China Vietnam, and China North Korea international passenger trains have been well operated to facilitate cross-border personnel exchanges and economic and trade exchanges.

The railway department stated that the next step will be to closely monitor changes in passenger flow, dynamically optimize the supply of passenger transportation products, carefully organize transportation during the May Day and Dragon Boat Festival holidays, vigorously develop universal and inclusive services, enrich and expand the content and scope of characteristic services, and further improve the travel experience of passengers.Editor/Gao Xue