China's railway authorities have launched pet consignment and luggage delivery services on high-speed railways along designated routes during the ongoing Spring Festival travel rush, making journeys lighter and more convenient than ever for passengers. For pet owners, traveling with animals during the country's annual travel rush -- also known as "Chunyun" and often described as the world's largest human migration -- has long been a challenge, with crowded carriages and heavy luggage adding to the strain.
This year, however, the situation has changed. High-speed rail pet transport services are being piloted at 110 stations and across 170 train routes nationwide. In addition, 111 stations now offer luggage delivery from passengers' homes to railway stations or even to their final destinations, allowing travelers to go hands-free.
"When I searched for pet consignment on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, many people were recommending the high-speed rail service, saying it's new -- and fast," said a passenger who had decided to try the pet transport service.
Pets will be placed in specialized transport containers equipped with ventilation and real-time monitoring systems for temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels. During transit, staff can monitor the animals using the containers' built-in sensors and cameras, ensuring their safety without disrupting other passengers.
"This container was developed by China Railway Express Co., Ltd. All materials used are eco-friendly, and it's fitted with monitors for humidity, temperature, and oxygen concentration. There's also a camera inside, so we can check on the pet at any time," said Cheng Yan, a manager at the company.
Staff members regularly patrol the pet carriages to replenish fresh, clean water and check on the animals. Cats and dogs are carefully looked after throughout the journey, giving pet owners peace of mind.
"Oxygen levels and humidity are all normal. The cat is sleeping now. We monitor everything in real time from the control center," said Cheng while showing how the container's real-time monitoring system operates. During the Spring Festival rush, more cities and routes have been added to the pet transport services. However, booking slots still fill up quickly.
"Since the start of Chunyun, pet transport orders have tripled or quadrupled compared to normal times. We plan to increase train frequencies and expand to more cities," said Cheng. What has made the service widely popular is the quality of care pets receive throughout the journey.
"This is an emergency vent. There's another one down here. Depending on the weather and how sealed the carriage is, we open them when needed," said Ma Tao, a manager at the Zhengzhou Branch of China Railway Express Co., Ltd., while demonstrating how the container's ventilation system works.
"I traveled by high-speed rail on the way here, and I'm taking it back too. High-speed rail is just much friendlier for pets," said a pet owner.
China’s high-speed rail offers lighter, smarter travel options for passengers with pets
