As dawn breaks over Shenzhen North Railway Station, the bustling hub is already teeming with travelers eager to reunite with their families for China's Spring Festival. Among them is Wang Hui, who, at 5:30 a.m., stands waiting with her family to board the first high-speed train heading to Xi'an City in northwest China.
Despite being a permanent resident of the southern metropolis and building a life in Shenzhen since her university days, Wang feels an unmistakable pull towards her hometown every year as the Spring Festival approaches. \"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family,\" she shares with a warm smile, \"but every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
For many like Wang, the Spring Festival is more than a holiday—it's a cherished tradition that brings families together, no matter the distance. Another traveler, Ms. Zhong, echoes this sentiment as she prepares for her journey back to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she reflects on her unwavering feelings of homesickness during this festive season. \"I've planned this trip for a month,\" Zhong says. \"The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us.\"
The scenes at the station highlight the significance of the Spring Festival travel rush, often dubbed the largest annual human migration. This year is no exception, with countless individuals embarking on journeys across the country to reunite with loved ones and celebrate time-honored customs.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
