Comparing Intercity Mobility Patterns among Different Holidays in China: a Big Data Analysis

With the relaxation of migration control and the rapid development of transportation in China, intercity mobility has remarkable effects on population distribution and regional economic development. Based on Tencent migration data of 2018, this study compares different intercity mobility patterns among different holidays and identifies the influencing factors using spatial and statistical analysis methods. The holidays consist of traditional holidays (Spring Festival, Tomb-sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival) and non-traditional holidays (New Year’s Day, May Day and National Day). The results are demonstrated below: 1) The spatial patterns of intercity mobility vary markedly from non-traditional holidays to traditional holidays, directly reflected in the distribution of main destination cities. 2) Regional attributes, including administrative divisions, geographical divisions, and dialect divisions, do affect the intercity mobility patterns in different holidays, and people in the south are more inclined to travel on traditional holidays and pay more attention to traditions; 3) Various travel purposes, distances and scales emerge in different holidays; 4) Economic factors at the city level are more associated with working place selections, and the destination choices during non-traditional holidays are influenced more by tourism factors. This comparative study of intercity mobility patterns among holidays has significant policy implications for allocating transportation resources and optimizing city hierarchical structure.