China's railways and expressways are set to receive growing numbers of tourists as the five-day May Day holiday is to start on Friday.
Many holiday-makers have already left for their tourism destinations one day ahead to avoid the travel peak expected to come on Friday and Saturday.
"I'm just passing through from Zhejiang (Province). Since schools there are on spring break, I'm taking my kid to travel. We set off early, because if we wait until the May Day holiday, the 1st and 2nd of May would be way too crowded," said Yan Meng, a passenger at Nanjing Railway Station.
China's railways are expected to handle 158 million passenger trips during the May Day holiday travel period -- an eight-day travel rush from April 29 to May 6, China State Railway Group Co., Ltd said on Wednesday.
During this period, an average of 12,000 passenger trains are scheduled to run daily. May 1 is projected to be the busiest day, with an estimated 24.5 million passenger trips -- the holiday's peak single-day figure.
In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, many tourists are traveling to Kazakhstan through the land port of Horgos.
With the mutual 30-day visa-free agreement between China and Kazakhstan, many domestic and international tourists are traveling through the port daily.
"I'm traveling abroad to see and explore different places. I want to record the beautiful experiences along the way," said He Ying, a Chinese tourist.
China's railways, expressways receive growing tourists ahead of May Day holiday
Cycling tours along Beijing's Central Axis have emerged as a popular way for inbound tourists to explore the historic city, allowing international visitors to experience Chinese culture through local food and heritage sites.
When night falls over the ancient capital, Belgian tourist Lode Vandendriessche and his family set off on bicycles along Beijing's Central Axis for an unforgettable evening. Winding through the old city's narrow hutongs, the family sampled more than a dozen authentic local snacks, immersing themselves in the flavors and atmosphere of traditional Beijing.
"It was nice to drive around or cycle around Beijing areas where you normally wouldn't come, like the hutongs is pretty special. And then in addition, the diversity of food was very impressive," Lode Vandendriessche said.
This appetite for authentic, experiential travel is a growing trend among inbound visitors, according to local tour guides who serve international travelers.
"You can see many foreign visitors in pairs or groups all across the city's streets and alleyways, especially family travelers like them. They are quite eager to seek out interesting activities around the city," said Dou Junjie, a local tour guide.
The rising enthusiasm for immersive Beijing experiences aligns with official data showing robust growth in cross-border passenger traffic at the capital's ports this year.
Since the start of 2026, cross-border passenger flow at Beijing's ports has climbed steadily. As of Thursday, total inbound and outbound passenger volume had surpassed 13.6 million, including over 4.6 million foreign nationals, representing a 30 percent year-on-year increase. On August 2, daily cross-border passenger traffic exceeded 80,000, hitting a nearly six-year high for single-day volume at Beijing's ports.
Beijing's Central Axis cycling tours draw inbound tourists with immersive cultural experience
