From January 15, the Chinese Spring Festival will commence, with travel expectations reaching 9.5 billion trips during the extended holiday period. This year’s travel surge is expected to be the largest on record, spurred partly by families returning home and individuals traveling for leisure. However, Japan is forecasted to experience a substantial decline in Chinese tourist arrivals compared to previous years, primarily due to ongoing travel advisories from the Chinese government.

The Chinese government has instituted a special transportation arrangement called 'Spring Transport' from February 2 to March 13, during which an anticipated 80% of travelers will utilize personal vehicles. Rail travel is expected to accommodate 540 million passengers, while air travel is projected to reach 95 million, both numbers representing all-time highs. While historically Japan has been a favored destination during this period, a report indicates that travel routes between China and Japan have seen a nearly 50% reduction as airlines focus on profitable routes amid low passenger demand.

In terms of travel preferences, South Korea has emerged as the top destination for travelers from mainland China, with cities like Seoul ranking high due to relaxed visa requirements for group travel. Other favored locations include Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong, while Japanese cities have notably dropped from the top ten list of travel destinations. In response to the sluggish domestic economy, the Chinese government is promoting domestic tourism, encouraging local events and extending tourism hours to invigorate the industry during the festive period.