Travelers prepare to exit Nanjing Railway Station in East China's Jiangsu Province on October 7, 2025. Photo: VCG

As China's eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, running from October 1 to 8, draw to a close, the country's cross-regional passenger flow surged by 7 percent year-on-year to reach approximately 308.49 million on Tuesday, the seventh day of the holidays, according to data released by the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday.

China's railways are expected to see about 19.05 million passenger trips on Tuesday, with 1,880 additional trains scheduled, according to CCTV News.

Highways have also entered a peak return period since Tuesday, with medium- and long-distance trips dominating traffic. The heaviest travel is expected during 10 am and 4 pm. The toll-free for vehicles with 7 seats and less will last until the end of Wednesday. 

On Tuesday, China's waterways are expected to transport about 1.15 million passengers, up 21.8 percent from the same period last year. 

In civil aviation, airlines are forecast to carry 2.43 million passengers on Tuesday, a 3.6 percent increase from the same period in 2024. A total of 19,281 flights have been scheduled, up 2.8 percent year-on-year.

Authorities nationwide are implementing measures to ensure a smooth return journey amid the travel rush.

In Beijing, traffic authorities forecast the peak return period will fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, the final two days of the holidays. Highway operators are keeping all toll lanes open and pre-deploying rescue and tow teams to quickly clear possible accidents and improve traffic flow. Service areas have expanded charging capacity to better accommodate new-energy vehicles.

To ensure trains passengers' transfer to city transportation, subway lines are extending or moving forward operation hours. Bus services are adding late-night and shuttle routes, while more than 3,000 taxis and ride-hailing vehicles are deployed. Airport shuttle buses will also provide backup transport for late-night arrivals.

In Shanghai, the city's three main railway stations have stayed open overnight since Monday to accommodate returning travelers, with staff on hand to provide guidance and assistance.

Zhengzhou, capital of Central China's Henan Province, has extended metro operations until midnight on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Sixteen standby trains have been added on stand-by.

Volunteers have been dispatched to guide travelers, while key metro stations are providing free luggage storage and colorful baggage straps for identification. In case of rain, non-slip mats and safety reminders will be in place to ensure a safe and comfortable journey, according to Zhengzhou Metro.

While millions travel home, adverse weather conditions are complicating journeys across much of the country. 

According to the China Meteorological Administration, beginning Tuesday, parts of northern China will experience rainfall, strong winds, and a noticeable drop in temperatures.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, eastern Gansu, southern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, central and northern Shaanxi Province, northern Sichuan Basin, central and northern Shanxi Province, central and southern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region are expected to see moderate to heavy rainfall, with localized torrential downpours in some areas.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said that multiple airports in Nanning, Kunming, Taiyuan, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Sanya could experience delays due to rain, thunderstorms, and convective weather influenced by the remnants of Typhoon Matmo.

The management committee of Kanas scenic area in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region announced on Tuesday that all outdoor hiking routes remain closed due to safety risks. Heavy snow hit the area on Sunday, stranding vehicles along icy roads. The road reopened and all stranded tourists reached their destinations safely as of Monday.

Despite weather disruptions, travel enthusiasm has remained strong throughout the holiday — not only within China, both domestically and internationally.

China's cross-regional passenger flow surged by 7 percent year-on-year to reach approximately 298.19 million on Monday, the sixth day of the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, according to data released by the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday.

Thanks to visa-free policies, tax-refund policy, and easier mobile payment options, both Chinese and foreign tourists have shown a growing appetite for cross-border travel. The National Immigration Administration estimated that average daily border crossings during the holiday would exceed 2 million.

In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the festive atmosphere has been especially vibrant. Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions hosted multiple events including firework displays and concerts, while Shenzhen in Guangdong launched a "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Mid-Autumn food festival" and other cultural events. Demand for cultural tourism, family visits, leisure, and shopping has surged. 

The Zhuhai border inspection station forecast that total inbound and outbound traffic during the holiday would reach 6.16 million trips, up more than 35 percent year-on-year.

Global Times