The Hangzhou East Railway Station is packed with travelers. [Photo/WeChat account: tlhzzwx]

Railway Hangzhou launched its 2026 Qingming Festival transport initiative on April 3, covering a five-day period from that day through April 7.

The station expects to handle 2.07 million passengers, a 6.8 percent year-on-year increase. Travel is expected to peak on April 4, with a projected single-day volume of 490,000 travelers.

The holiday surge is driven by a combination of traditional tomb-sweeping, spring tourism, and family visits, further amplified by a wave of sporting events and concerts. Popular destinations include major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing. To meet this high demand, authorities have added 36 extra pairs of trains on top of existing spring schedules, primarily serving routes toward Shanghai, Nanchang, and coastal cities.

To accommodate fans attending Jay Chou's world tour at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center, a special late-night high-speed train (G9278) to Shanghai South will depart at 1:04 am on April 4. Travelers are advised to verify their specific departure station among Hangzhou's multiple railway hubs and arrive early to ensure a smooth journey.

Travelers wait in line to pass through the gate. [Photo/WeChat account: tlhzzwx]