China Railway handles record 3.71 bln passenger trips in first three quarters

(ECNS) -- China's national railway network handled 3.71 billion passenger trips in the first three quarters of 2026, up 4.8% year-on-year and a record high for the period, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

An average of 11,511 passenger trains were operated daily in the first three quarters, up 5.3% year on year.

To promote the integration of rail and tourism, the railway authorities designed themed tourist trains, connecting natural scenery, cultural heritage sites and local cuisine along their routes.

A total of 2,860 tourist trains were operated in the first three quarters, up 25.5% year on year, including 1,613 tourist special trains and 1,247 tourist line trains.

Cross-border passenger services were also strengthened. The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-speed Railway and the China-Laos Railway handled 25.845 million and 265,000 cross-border passenger trips respectively, up 11.8% and 37.8% year on year.

The railway sector also accommodated inbound travelers under China's visa-free transit policies, carrying 19.002 million foreign passengers in the first three quarters, up 33.4% year-on-year.

(By Tang Yuxian)