China is expected to witness an average of 2.15 million daily border crossings over the upcoming three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday period, marking a 12.2 percent increase compared to the same timeframe last year, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).
Cross-border travel is forecasted to peak on June 1, the day following the festival’s main holiday.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, traditionally falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This year, the holiday is observed on May 31, with public holidays extending from May 31 to June 2.
Traffic at China’s major international airports is expected to rise steadily throughout the holiday period. Shanghai Pudong International Airport is projected to lead with approximately 100,000 daily crossings. Guangzhou Baiyun and Beijing Capital airports are expected to follow, with daily crossings of 48,000 and 46,000, respectively, the NIA announced via its official WeChat account.
Increased travel between Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China is anticipated to contribute to higher cross-border volumes during the festival. This surge will also be supported by a series of major cultural and sporting events held across various Chinese provinces.
The National Immigration Administration has urged border authorities to closely monitor cross-border traffic and provide timely updates and services to travelers. The agency emphasized the importance of adequate staffing at border checkpoints to ensure that wait times do not exceed 30 minutes.
