A staff member helps a passenger with mobility impairments get on the train at the Nanchang Railway Station of east China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 10, 2026.(Xinhua/Guo Jiewen)
NANCHANG, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- In the early morning, 58-year-old construction worker Wang Xianzeng let out a sigh of relief at his rural home. The parcel he had just opened contained his trusty old power drill, reunited with him thanks to a free mailing service launched by the railway system.
Days earlier, Wang had finished a year of work on a construction site in Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, and was heading home for the Spring Festival holiday. But his drill was not allowed to pass through the railway station security checkpoint.
"This drill has served me well for years. I wanted to bring it home so I could use it again next year," Wang explained, reluctant to part with a tool he relies on daily.
Seeing his dilemma, Shu Haixia, a railway police officer, stepped in. "We can mail it to your home for free," she told him.
Power drills, hammers and shovels are essential for migrant workers, but they are banned from passenger trains. During the Spring Festival travel rush, which is often described as the world's largest human migration, several railway stations, in partnership with police and postal services, have introduced a free tool mailing service. Staff at security checkpoints now help workers package and ship these items nationwide at no cost.
For many workers, a tool is more than an expense to replace -- it's a trusted companion, carried through years of labor and travel. "Now, this simple policy offers respect and a small kindness ahead of the Spring Festival, a time for family reunion when months of labor far from home finally feel worth it," Shu said.
China's 40-day Spring Festival travel period began on Feb. 2 this year. Authorities estimate a record 9.5 billion cross-regional trips will be made, with railway and air travel expected to reach 540 million and 95 million trips, respectively.
To accommodate this massive flow of passengers, railway authorities have introduced a series of new, more personalized services.
With more Chinese families welcoming pets as members, taking them home for the holidays has become a common need. In the past, pet owners often had to drive long distances, but now high-speed rail offers a convenient alternative.
On Tuesday morning, Li Yuehua entered Yingtan North Station in Jiangxi Province with her dog Yuanbao, whose name means gold ingot, and headed to the dedicated pet check-in counter. Guided by staff, she quickly completed procedures including quarantine certificate verification and carrier inspection.
Wan Jun, a manager at Yingtan Station of Nanchang branch of China Railway Express, explained that pet transport requires an animal quarantine certificate and approved carriers. These specialized containers feature air circulation and temperature-humidity monitoring, and are placed in separate luggage compartments to minimize stress for pets and avoid disturbing passengers.
To ease Yuanbao's nerves, staff offered a soft chew toy. Watching her dog relaxing in its carrier via a dedicated video feed, Li said: "I used to worry about traveling with my dog, but the process was so smooth!"
This year, notably, high-speed rail pet transport services are being piloted at 110 stations and on 170 train routes across China.
Railway services are becoming increasingly tailored as the network expands. Official data shows that China's railways handled nearly 4.59 billion passenger trips in 2025, with a total operating railway mileage of 165,000 km.
For instance, 111 stations now offer luggage delivery from passengers' homes to stations or even final destinations, allowing travelers to go hands-free.
At some stations in north China's Beijing Municipality, Hebei Province and in northeast China, regions with numerous ski resorts attracting growing numbers of ski enthusiasts, skiers can book gear delivery via the ticketing platform, with packed snow equipment cleared through dedicated security lanes and stored in designated areas on select trains.
Additional conveniences include limited-time free refunds for mistaken ticket bookings on the app, as well as in-person ticketing assistance for elderly passengers who have difficulty using digital platforms. These targeted measures are designed to enhance convenience and care for an increasingly diverse range of travelers.
"The Spring Festival travel rush carries the heartfelt hopes of hundreds of millions of people returning home for reunions. We will work with relevant departments to go all out in preparing every aspect of the travel season, ensuring that everyone reaches home safely and happily for the Chinese New Year," said Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission. ■
A staff member transfers a pet to get on the train at the Yingtan North Station of east China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 12, 2026.(Photo by Shu Wenbin/Xinhua)
