Travel rush train ticket sales break record

The China Railway Corporation said on Monday that 154.62 million train tickets to be used during the 40-day travel period around Spring Festival have been sold so far since Dec. 23.

Official ticket-booking website www.12306.cn had sold an average 3.54 million train tickets per day up to Sunday, up 57 percent year on year. The daily peak reached 5.01 million tickets on Jan. 9, breaking last year's high of 3.64 million, said the corporation.

Major railway stations around the country sell tickets around the clock and sales outlets have been increased to 30,180 to facilitate purchases. Passengers can also buy train tickets online or by telephone, according to the corporation.

The Spring Festival, or China's lunar new year, is the country's most important traditional holiday for family reunions. Most people will go home for the festival, putting pressure on the country's transportation system.

The coming Spring Festival falls on Jan. 31. This year's travel rush, literally translated as "spring transportation," is expected to last from Jan. 16 to Feb. 24.

People can book tickets for trains 25 days before the travel date via the Internet or telephone, while train stations and ticket agencies begin to sell 23 days ahead.