4.13 billion trips.. China's trains record a high number in 2026

China's railway network recorded 4.13 billion passenger train trips during the first ten months of 2026, an increase of 4.7% compared to the same period last year, according to the Chinese Ministry of Transport.

CCTV reported on Saturday that the number of passenger trips during this period reached a record level.

By the end of 2025, the length of China's railway network reached 165,000 kilometers, including more than 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail lines, making it the largest network of its kind in the world, according to "Bloomberg".

Network expansion and passenger traffic
China's railway network transported 3.71 billion passenger trips during the first nine months of 2026, up 4.8% year-on-year, and operated an average of 11,511 passenger trains daily, an increase of 5.3% over the same period last year, according to the official "Xinhua" news agency.

"Xinhua" clarified that China's railway network operated 2,860 tourist trains during that period, up 25.5% year-on-year, along with 947 special trains serving concert attendees and sports matches, as part of efforts to link transport services with tourism and entertainment activities.

China put 1,625 kilometers of new railway lines into service during the first nine months of this year, while sector investments in fixed assets reached 601.2 billion yuan, equivalent to approximately $89 billion, an increase of 1.3% year-on-year.

China aims to increase the length of its railway network to 180,000 kilometers by 2030, including about 60,000 kilometers of high-speed rail lines.

The expansion plan includes establishing eight major corridors connecting the country from north to south, and another eight from east to west, aiming to enhance connectivity between major cities, urban clusters, and key economic zones.