China’s rail network recorded 2.8 billion journeys between January and July 2026, the highest figure ever reported for this period. Traffic rose by 4.1 per cent compared with last year, whilst the number of journeys made by foreign passengers increased by over 32 per cent.
Passenger rail transport in China set a new record in the first seven months of 2026, according to data published by China State Railway Group (China Railway), the national rail operator.
Between January and July, 2.8 billion journeys were recorded, 4.1 per cent more than in the same period in 2025.
The increase in passenger numbers was also supported by an expansion in services. On average, 11,462 passenger trains ran daily on the Chinese network, 571 more than last year, representing a 5.2 per cent increase.
More trains on busy routes
China Railway says it used data from its 12306 booking system, including waiting lists, to tailor services to transport demand.
Additional trains were introduced on busy routes and during peak periods, and some electric multiple units ran in coupled formations to increase the number of available seats.
During the same period, new sections of high-speed railway were opened, which expanded the network and improved connectivity between different regions of the country.
The number of journeys made by foreign passengers rose by 32.5 per cent
A much stronger increase was recorded in traffic generated by foreign passengers, against the backdrop of the expansion of China’s visa-free transit policies.
In the first seven months of the year, foreign passengers made 14.85 million train journeys, 32.5 per cent more than in the same period last year.
International and cross-border passenger numbers rose sharply on several routes.
The Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong high-speed rail link recorded 20.05 million cross-border journeys, an increase of 11.5 per cent.
On the China–Laos railway, 214,000 cross-border journeys were reported, 38.2 per cent more than last year.
International trains between China and Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam and North Korea also continued to operate, contributing to the development of cross-border tourism.
Over 2,100 tourist trains
China Railway is seeking to integrate rail transport more closely with the tourism industry.
The operator is collaborating with local cultural and tourism authorities to link rail services with tourist attractions and accommodation facilities, as well as to increase the number of trains dedicated to leisure travel.
By the end of July, 2,159 tourist trains had run in China since the start of the year.
79 special, customised trains have also been introduced, designed for specific groups such as concert-goers or supporters travelling to sporting events.
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