As dawn breaks over Shenzhen North Railway Station, Wang Hui stands amidst a crowd of eager travelers. At 5:30 a.m., she waits to board the first high-speed train from south China's Shenzhen City to northwest China's Xi'an City, a journey that will reunite her with her hometown during China's beloved Spring Festival.
A mother and permanent resident of Shenzhen, Wang has built a life in the bustling metropolis since her university days. Yet, despite the city's allure, the approach of the Spring Festival ignites a longing that draws her back home each year.
\"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family, but every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home,\" she says, smiling despite the early hour and the long journey ahead.
Nearby, another traveler, Ms. Zhong, prepares for her trip back to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she too feels the enduring tug of hometown ties during this festive season.
\"I've planned this trip for a month. The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us,\" Zhong shares.
For many in China, the Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, is more than a holiday—it's a time-honored tradition that celebrates family reunions and cultural heritage. As trains depart from cities like Shenzhen, they carry not just passengers, but stories of connection, nostalgia, and the universal desire to return home.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
