As the Spring Festival approaches, major high-speed rail stations across China are seeing increasing numbers of travelers returning home, yet they are carrying significantly less luggage. In the waiting hall of Beijing South Station, passengers no longer travel with numerous heavy 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 New Year, explained that they had already sent their luggage home in advance via courier services. Xiao stated that she has grown accustomed to traveling light, especially after having a child, as it allows her to focus more on her child during the journey, making the trip easier and more convenient. "I am still on the train, but my luggage has already arrived home," she said.
An operations expert from JD LOGISTICS noted that the trend of traveling with minimal luggage has become increasingly evident in recent years. According to JD LOGISTICS data, personal parcel shipments, particularly luggage and New Year goods, have surged by approximately 190% year-on-year recently. Compared to the same period before last year's Lunar New Year, the growth exceeds 30%, with demand intensifying as the festival draws nearer.
The formation of this travel habit is closely linked to the continuous improvement of China's courier network. Since the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China has established the world's largest delivery network, benefiting the most people. The reach and depth of postal services in rural and border areas have significantly improved, with the number of service outlets increasing nearly 1.5 times compared to five years ago. All remote villages across the country now have access to postal services.
The expansion of courier and logistics services to more distant and underserved areas has unlocked greater demand. Among the items people bring home for the New Year, gifts and special foods for relatives and friends account for a considerable portion. Many now opt to purchase lamb from Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Gansu to enjoy during the festivities. Southerners often choose cold-water fish from Jilin's Chagan Lake, while northerners are inclined to try southern fruits and fresh produce.
In the past, transporting lamb from Xinjiang to other regions was costly, and ground shipping took too long for perishable goods, while air transport was affected by reduced flights during the low tourism season. This year, JD LOGISTICS has introduced dedicated cargo aircraft for such shipments, leading to a significant increase in this segment. The cargo planes are now operating at full capacity daily, often unable to meet demand.
Today, lamb from the northwest and fruits from Hainan may simultaneously grace Chinese families' New Year's Eve dinner tables. This is made possible by advanced cold-chain preservation technology that prioritizes freshness, an integrated transportation network combining road, rail, and air freight, and the accelerated application of AI models in demand forecasting, intelligent scheduling, and route optimization.
In addition to returning home for the New Year, many Chinese are choosing to travel during the holiday. The concept of "reunion" during Spring Festival travel now often involves entire families, and the desire to reduce luggage burdens has spurred growth in the courier service market. In response to this demand, SF Express's cultural tourism division is providing 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 presence in over 500 transportation hubs, more than 300 scenic spots, and over 20,000 hotels. The company has also partnered with over 30 provincial cultural and tourism departments and several leading cultural tourism brands.
The continuous enhancement of the courier service network is gradually reshaping how people celebrate the New Year, making Spring Festival journeys increasingly effortless for Chinese travelers.