Rail network sets new record over the Dragon Boat Festival holiday

China's railway system set a new travel record over the Dragon Boat Festival holiday travel rush, with 78.75 million passenger trips made between May 30 and June 3, according to the national railway operator China State Railway Group on Wednesday.

The figure marks a 3.5 percent increase year-on-year and the highest ever for the holiday period.

The company attributed the surge to the overlap of the traditional Dragon Boat Festival and International Children's Day, which fueled a spike in family visits and domestic tourism.

To accommodate the increased demand, the network ramped up operations with an average of 12,142 passenger trains running each day, up 9.9 percent compared with the same period last year. 

Travelers were met with a series of onboard and station activities celebrating traditional customs. More than 1,000 train stations and selected trains hosted interactive events, including zongzi-making, colorful bracelet weaving, and other holiday trivia games.

Service enhancements included streamlined ticketing and transfer procedures, improved catering options, and tailored assistance for elderly passengers, children, and those with special needs.