Beijing: China's railway network achieved a historic high of 2.24 billion passenger trips in the first half of 2025, as reported by the national railway operator on Thursday. This milestone marks a significant increase in railway travel across the country, reflecting a robust demand for train services.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this figure represents a 6.7 percent increase from the same period last year. The data, released by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., indicates that during the six-month period, an average of 11,183 trains operated daily, which is a 7.5 percent rise compared to the previous year.

The highest daily passenger traffic was recorded on May 1, coinciding with the first day of the five-day May Day holiday. On this day, over 23 million passenger trips were made, setting an all-time high for daily railway travel, as stated by the company.

The railway network also experienced rapid growth in foreign passenger numbers, attributed to the easing of visa policies. In the first half of 2025, foreign travelers took nearly 9.15 million train trips within China, marking a 30.1 percent increase year on year.

Additionally, cross-border railway transport expanded significantly. The China-Laos Railway, in particular, recorded 139,000 passenger trips, representing a 19.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the data.