Chongqing - Around 9 a.m. on Feb. 2, the waiting hall at Chongqing East Railway Station was filled with travelers and the fresh scent of ink. Along long tables covered in red paper, calligraphers wrote the Chinese character “Fu,” meaning good fortune, offering live calligraphy to departing passengers.
Passengers waiting at Chongqing East Railway Station pose for photos with Spring Festival couplets as the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush begins on February 2. (Photo/Guo Xu)
February 2 also marked the official launch of the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, known in China as chunyun. Lasting 40 days, chunyun is widely regarded as the world's largest annual movement of people. This year is especially significant for Chongqing East Railway Station, which is experiencing its first Spring Festival travel period since opening.
China Railway Chengdu Group's Chongqing Station, which manages major rail terminals across the city, said it expects to send a total of 10.5 million passengers during chunyun. This represents an increase of 1.12 million passengers compared with the 2025 Spring Festival travel period.
Officials forecast that passenger volumes will peak around February 23, the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, when many travelers return after holiday family gatherings. On that day, the city's railway network is expected to send up to 300,000 passengers.
To meet rising demand, railway authorities have introduced a range of transport capacity and service measures. These include operating additional temporary passenger trains, coupling multiple high-speed train sets, and running extra overnight high-speed rail services to ease pressure during peak travel times.
Service upgrades have also been introduced at several stations. Chongqing West and Chongqing North railway stations have launched pet transportation services to accommodate travelers with animals. Chongqing North Railway Station has completed upgrades to its waiting hall environment, including the renovation of a commercial area, which now features Chongqing-themed design elements and a more diverse range of retail and dining options.
Chongqing East Railway Station, positioned as a modern smart high-speed rail hub, has also enhanced its facilities. During winter, its intelligent climate-control system automatically adjusts operation, working with thermal insulation materials to keep indoor temperatures within a comfortable range. It has added staff and railway volunteers to provide on-site guidance, with foreign-language assistance available for international passengers.
On February 2, a mother and her child embrace in the waiting hall of Chongqing East Railway Station, capturing a tender moment during the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush. (Photo/Guo Xu)
To improve ticketing efficiency, Chongqing Railway Station has set up 10 "one-stop service" counters during chunyun, integrating ticket sales, refunds, identity verification, and discount eligibility checks.
Railway authorities have advised passengers to plan ahead, allow sufficient time for station arrival, and follow orderly travel practices during the busy Spring Festival period.