The Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) travel rush 2013 will start on January 26, lasting 40 days to March 6. Train tickets for the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush period can be purchased at ticket offices and agencies from January 9, 2013.
It is estimated that the total number of journeys in China will reach 3.407 million during this 40-day period. The numbers of train journeys and bus journeys (not including city buses) are estimated at 225 million and 3,104 million respectively.
The Spring Festival day (Chinese New Year) falls on February 10 this year. Passengers can purchase train tickets at most 20 days in advance. Train tickets for the period from February 3 to February 8 (the peak homeward journey days) are in short supply.
The period from February 15 to February 24 is the return travel period, when tens of millions of migrant workers and college students rush back to their work places and colleges.
The Spring Festival travel rush period is the off-season for tourism, and most attractions and hotels throughout the country implement lower prices. If you can overcome the problem of transportation, you can enjoy reasonably a cost-efficient travel in China.
If you plan to travel in China during the Spring Festival travel rush period, China Highlights advises you confirm your schedule as soon as possible and buy your tickets, if you want to use cheaper transport options.
There is not such great pressure on bullet train and flight tickets as they are significantly more expensive, and you can avoid Chinese New Year rush.