Summer railway travel rush kicks off as new train operation plan takes effect across China

As China's new national train operation diagram came into effect on July 1, 2025, the country also launched its 62-day summer transport season. Both passenger and freight train volumes have increased under the new schedule, significantly enhancing overall rail capacity. Key high-speed lines, including the Shanghai-Kunming and Beijing-Harbin routes, now feature upgraded 350 km/h service on certain sections. New overnight sleeper trains allow passengers to depart in the evening and arrive by morning, offering faster and more comfortable journeys. In addition to expanding high-speed services and launching new overnight trains, the 2025 summer railway schedule underscores China's commitment to smarter, more efficient travel. The enhanced network now connects more cities with shorter transit times, easing passenger flow during the peak season. Targeted capacity increases along popular tourist and migration routes ensure better service quality. Technological innovations, such as intelligent dispatching and real-time monitoring, also contribute to safer and smoother operations. With nearly a billion expected journeys this summer, China's railways are not only moving people, but also energizing cities, industries, and communities nationwide.

The summer season is expected to see around 953 million passenger trips by rail, a year-on-year increase of 5.8%. By optimizing scheduling and capacity deployment, railway authorities aim to meet diverse travel needs—be it tourism, family visits, or business trips—while also helping to boost related industries such as tourism. As trains crisscross the nation, they drive economic growth and carry people's hopes for smooth, enjoyable summer journeys, writing a new chapter in the vibrant story of a "mobile China."

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers preparing to board a train at Longmen Railway Station in Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province. (Zhang Yixi/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers traveling at Nanjing Railway Station in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Su Yang/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers at Taizhou Railway Station in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Tang Dehong/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows high-speed trains ready for departure at Guiyang North EMU Depot in Baiyun District, Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Jia Zhi/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers preparing to board at Wuzhou South Railway Station in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (He Huawen/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers boarding a train at Yantai Railway Station in east China's Shandong Province. (Tang Ke/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers having their tickets checked at Lianyungang Railway Station in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Wang Jianmin/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers waiting to board at Lu'an Railway Station in east China's Anhui Province. (Tian Kaiping/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows a crowded waiting hall on the first day of summer transport season at Zhengzhou East Railway Station in Zhengzhou City, central China's Henan Province. (Wang Wei/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows passengers queuing for ticket inspection at Fuyang West Railway Station in east China's Anhui Province. (Lu Qijian/Guangming Picture)