China's railways set May Day travel record with 24.8 million passengers

China's railway system achieved a remarkable feat on May 1st, transporting a record-breaking 24.8 million passengers in a single day. This surge in travel, driven by the May Day holiday, underscores the nation's strong domestic tourism momentum. The state-owned China Railway anticipates further high volumes, with an estimated 19.7 million journeys expected on May 2nd. The impressive total of 117 million tickets sold for the entire holiday period offers a promising sign for the recovery of China's consumer spending, which has faced headwinds from a sluggish economy and a property market crisis. In response to the demand, China Railway has deployed thousands of additional trains to accommodate travelers. These figures highlight a significant rebound in domestic activity, a key focus for the world's second-largest economy as it seeks to bolster growth beyond its export sector.