At the break of dawn, Shenzhen North Railway Station pulses with life. It's 5:30 a.m., and Wang Hui, accompanied by her family, eagerly awaits the first high-speed train bound for northwest China's Xi'an City. Set to depart at 6:08 a.m., this journey marks the beginning of her annual pilgrimage back home.
Wang Hui, a mother and permanent resident of Shenzhen since her university days, reflects on the magnetic pull of her hometown during this season. \"I've built my life here, have my own family, but every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home,\" she shares, her eyes gleaming with anticipation despite the early hour.
Nearby, Ms. Zhong prepares for her journey to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having spent over a decade in Shenzhen, the city's rapid advancement hasn't diminished her longing for home during the Spring Festival. \"I've planned this trip for a month,\" she says. \"The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us.\"
The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, is the most significant traditional holiday in China. It's a time when millions traverse great distances to reunite with their loved ones, celebrating the end of winter and the arrival of spring. This mass movement of people is often dubbed the world's largest annual human migration.
For many like Wang Hui and Ms. Zhong, the journey home is filled with excitement and nostalgia. It's not just about reuniting with family but also about rekindling connections to their roots and preserving cherished customs. The festive period is marked by family gatherings, sumptuous feasts, colorful decorations, and traditional performances.
As the nation's transport networks work tirelessly to accommodate the surge in travelers, stories of homecoming like these highlight the enduring importance of family and tradition in Chinese culture. Despite the challenges of long journeys and the hustle of city life, the desire to return home remains a powerful force.
As Wang Hui boards her train, she smiles, \"The journey might be long, but the happiness of being home for the Spring Festival makes it all worthwhile.\"
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
