While most countries debate infrastructure plans, China just runs 13,000 trains a day. That’s the reality during peak periods in May 2025, when the network hit a strategic milestone that sounds more like science fiction than transportation policy. On May 1 alone, 13,752 trains operated across the country—a single-day record that most nations couldn’t achieve in a week.
China operated 13,752 trains on May 1, 2025—a single-day record most nations couldn’t match in a week.
The numbers tell a story of scale that’s hard to grasp. 2.24 billion passenger journeys in six months. That’s billion with a B. The first four months saw 1.46 billion passengers, up 5.9% year-on-year. January through May brought 1.86 billion trips, a 7.3% jump that shattered previous records. These aren’t projections or wishful thinking. They’re actual humans boarding actual trains.
Infrastructure expansion appears to keep pace with demand. 301 kilometers of new rail lines opened in the first half of 2025 alone. That’s real track laid down, not just announcements. Fixed-asset railway investment reached 504.1 billion yuan from January through August, climbing 5.6% compared to last year. Real money flowing into steel and concrete, not PowerPoint presentations. The launch of 121 new Fuxing bullet trains expanded capacity and improved service quality across key routes.
The freight side is equally relentless. 2.68 billion tonnes of goods moved by rail in eight months, up 3.5%. Daily freight car loading averaged 184,000 units, a 4.3% increase. Coal transport alone hit 1.38 billion tonnes, keeping the lights on during peak consumption. On top of that, rail-water container shipments jumped 17.5% to 11.48 million TEUs.
Foreign travelers are noticing too. 7.67 million train journeys by international visitors January through May marked a 29% surge, helped by expanded visa-free policies. The railway network now functions as a massive tourism engine, connecting heritage sites, nature preserves, and wellness retreats with brutal efficiency. Train stations are transforming into gateways for exploration, shifting from mere transit hubs to launching points for cultural experiences and rejuvenation.
This isn’t just about moving people faster. It’s economic infrastructure doing what economic infrastructure should do: supporting supply chains, lowering transportation costs, stimulating domestic demand.
China-Europe Express freight corridors keep running. Cross-border routes keep opening. The system keeps expanding while others are still forming committees to study feasibility.
