China expected to record over 270 million inter-regional passenger trips on Saturday, the 13th day of the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, marking a 1.8 percent increase from the same period last year, Ministry of Transport data showed.
The Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, amounts to the world's largest annual human migration as millions embark on journeys across the country to reunite with loved ones to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year.
The Spring Festival falls on Feb 17 this year. The official holiday lasts nine days from Feb 15 to 23, with the travel rush running from Feb 2 through March 13.
On Saturday, an additional 2,095 passenger trains were deployed across the national railway network. It is estimated that 15.35 million passengers would have been transported over the day, marking an increase of 0.3 percent from the previous day and a year-on-year rise of 5.6 percent.
Meanwhile, national expressway traffic is expected to exceed 250 million passenger trips, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.4 percent. Traffic saw a notable surge on Saturday evening, as Sunday marks the start of the toll-free period for expressways.
From Feb 15 to 23, expressways across the country will offer toll-free access to passenger cars with up to seven seats.
Waterway passenger transport is estimated to handle 990,000 trips, up 2.1 percent from the previous day and 41.6 percent year on year.
Civil aviation is expected to carry approximately 2.43 million passengers on Saturday, up 5.6 percent year on year.
Over 270 mln inter-regional passenger trips expected on Day 13 of Spring Festival travel rush
The Xinghuafu historical and cultural zone, the core area of Putian in Fujian Province, is attracting huge turnouts of travelers during the Spring Festival holiday season with cultural immersion activities.
The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, falls on February 17 this year. In celebration of the grand festival, Xinghuafu, with its freshly renovated buildings adorned with traditional oil-paper lanterns and holiday decorations, has staged a variety of evening performances for visitors since February 4. Holiday travelers here can also enjoy an interactive experience with performers dressed up as ancient characters across the cultural zone -- a cultural immersion activity Xinghuafu has introduced this year to enrich the traveling experience. Visitors can play games with performers and win ancient style paper bills which can be redeemed for discounts at local shops.
The cultural zone has seen the daily number of visitors exceed 60,000 since February 10, doubling compared to the same period of last year. With its restored ancient mansions and alleyways becoming popular backdrops for hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) photography enthusiasts, traveling photography is also expanding in Xinghuafu, boosting the overall economy of the area.
"This is my first time coming to this ancient street to take photos. The scenery here is really photogenic. It was such a pleasant surprise," said a tourist dressed in hanfu.
What began with two or three photo studios has now grown to over a dozen, with social media fame driving demand. The trend has subsequently boosted cultural creative products and food and beverage sales in the cultural zone.
Tourists are also drawn to Xinghuafu's authentic Putian cuisine such as lor mee and flat wontons. Some stores are treating visitors with special activities for the holiday.
A highlight this year is the hands-on red rice cake making experience. The red rice cake, a glutinous rice delicacy, typically stuffed with sweet fillings, is a key festive treat for the Spring Festival in Putian. Shops are also rolling out to-go packages for visitors to bring Putian's flavors back home. Food parcels shipping out from Xinghuafu has doubled during the holiday season, according to express delivery workers.
Historical zone in Fujian welcomes holiday tourists with night economy, cultural immersion
