As the Spring Festival approaches, major high-speed rail stations across China are seeing an increasing number of travelers returning home, yet the amount of luggage they carry has noticeably decreased. In the waiting hall of Beijing South Station, passengers no longer travel with numerous large bags. Many now travel light, with one suitcase and a backpack becoming the standard, while some men carry only a backpack.
Xiao Xiaoxu, who is traveling with her child from Tianjin West Station to Qingdao for the holiday, shared that their luggage had already been sent home in advance via express delivery. She explained that she has become accustomed to traveling lightly, especially after having a child, as it reduces the burden and allows her to focus on her child during the journey. "I am still on the train, but my luggage has already arrived home," she said.
Yang Yue, an operations expert at JD LOGISTICS, noted that the trend of traveling light has become increasingly evident in recent years. According to JD LOGISTICS data, the volume of personal parcel shipments, primarily consisting of luggage and New Year goods, has increased by approximately 190% year-on-year recently. Compared to the same period before last year's Lunar New Year, there has been a growth of over 30%, with demand surging even more as the holiday draws nearer.
The formation of this travel habit is closely linked to the continuous improvement of China's express delivery network. Since the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China has established the world's largest and most widely accessible delivery network, benefiting the most people. The coverage and depth of postal services in rural and border areas have significantly improved, with the number of service outlets increasing by nearly 1.5 times compared to five years ago. All border villages across the country now have access to postal services.
As express logistics extend further and deeper, the demands of more people are being met. Among the items brought home for the New Year, gifts and special goods for relatives and friends account for a significant portion. Yang Yue mentioned that many people purchase lamb from Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Gansu to enjoy fresh flavors before the festival. Southerners often opt for cold-water fish from Jilin's Chagan Lake, while northerners tend to try southern fruits and fresh produce.
He added that in the past, the cost of transporting lamb from Xinjiang to other regions was high. Ground transport took too long for perishable goods, while air transport was affected by reduced flights during the low tourism season. This year, JD LOGISTICS has utilized dedicated cargo aircraft for transportation, leading to a significant increase in this business segment. The cargo planes are now fully loaded daily, often struggling to meet demand.
Today, lamb from the northwest and fruits from Hainan may appear simultaneously on Chinese New Year's Eve dinner tables. This is made possible by advanced cold-chain preservation technology, which prioritizes freshness, as well as an integrated transport network combining road, rail, and air transport. Additionally, the accelerated application of large-scale models in demand forecasting, intelligent scheduling, and route planning plays a crucial role.
Apart from returning home for the holiday, many Chinese are also choosing to travel during the Spring Festival. The concept of "reunion" during the holiday often involves entire families traveling together, which has spurred demand for express delivery services to reduce luggage burdens. In response to market needs, SF Express's cultural tourism division has provided convenient logistics support this Spring Festival.
Currently, SF Express's luggage delivery service has been launched simultaneously in over 20 key tourist cities across China, covering popular destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Hangzhou. By the end of January 2026, SF Express had established a presence in over 500 transportation hubs, more than 300 scenic spots, and over 20,000 hotels. The company has also partnered with over 30 cultural and tourism departments and several leading brands in the sector.
The continuous improvement of the express service network is gradually reshaping how people celebrate the New Year, making Spring Festival travel increasingly effortless for Chinese people.