Jakarta. Indonesia’s Lunar New Year, known locally as Imlek, brought a surge in domestic travel, tourism activity, and festive consumption across the country as millions took advantage of the long holiday surrounding the 2026 celebrations.

Imlek is a public holiday in Indonesia and holds particular significance for the country’s ethnic Chinese community, which has played a long-standing role in trade, culture, and urban life.

In the days leading up to Imlek on Tuesday, traffic volumes spiked on key toll roads linking Jakarta with major destinations in West Java and Central Java. Toll road operator Jasa Marga recorded more than 537,000 vehicles leaving the Greater Jakarta area between four and two days before the holiday. Traffic toward Trans-Java routes via Cikampek and toward Bandung through the Cipularang toll road rose by nearly 30% compared with normal conditions, reflecting a seasonal exodus of urban residents traveling to tourist cities or hometowns.

Despite the increase, authorities said traffic remained largely smooth, with congestion expected to peak closer to the main holiday. Officials urged motorists to prepare vehicles carefully and monitor traffic updates as travel volumes continued to climb.

Rail transport also saw a significant uptick during the Imlek holiday period. State railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) reported a sharp rise in passenger numbers between Feb. 13 and 16, with its Pangrango and Siliwangi services carrying a combined 23,495 passengers. Average seat occupancy reached 102%, reflecting particularly strong demand on the Bogor–Sukabumi route.

KAI said occupancy exceeded 100% due to passenger turnover at intermediate stations, allowing seats to be used by multiple travelers on a single journey. Passenger volumes peaked on Feb. 15, while demand remained solid even after the main holiday period, indicating sustained post-holiday mobility.

One of the main beneficiaries of the holiday was Bandung, a popular weekend and holiday destination. Local police estimated that around 1.5 million vehicles entered the city between Feb. 13 and 15, exceeding the number of vehicles leaving by roughly 200,000. The imbalance suggested that many visitors extended their stay to enjoy shopping, culinary tourism and family gatherings.

Traffic police deployed additional personnel across Bandung and surrounding areas, including the nearby resort town of Lembang, to manage congestion and prevent illegal roadside parking. While traffic conditions gradually eased, officials said Bandung’s continued appeal highlights its role as a core leisure hub for domestic tourists during long holidays.

Air travel also saw a notable rise. I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali projected serving about 438,000 passengers between Feb. 13 and 19, including more than 268,000 international travelers. Airport authorities expected over 2,800 aircraft movements during the period, with international flights slightly outnumbering domestic ones.

Airport management said passenger traffic was forecast to be around 1.5% higher than on regular days, with the busiest day falling mid-holiday. The return flow was expected toward the end of the break, as domestic travelers wrapped up vacations ahead of the upcoming Ramadan fasting month.

The holiday atmosphere was especially visible at cultural and lifestyle destinations such as Pantjoran PIK, a Chinese-themed area in the Pantai Indah Kapuk district near Jakarta. The site drew both local visitors and foreign tourists, including travelers from neighboring Malaysia, who praised its festive decorations, lantern displays and cultural performances.

Throughout the holiday period, Pantjoran PIK hosted lion and dragon dances, parades, cultural shows and culinary events, reinforcing its reputation as a focal point for Imlek festivities in the capital region. Organizers said the events aimed to showcase Chinese-Indonesian culture while supporting tourism and small businesses.

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