Heartfelt Homecomings: Record Travel for China's Spring Festival
At 5:30 a.m., Shenzhen North Railway Station buzzes with anticipation. Among the crowd is Wang Hui, patiently waiting to board the first high-speed train heading from the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen to the historic city of Xi'an. The train departs at 6:08 a.m., marking the beginning of her long journey home.
Wang Hui, a mother and permanent resident of Shenzhen, has built a life in the city since her university days. Despite her deep roots in Shenzhen, the allure of her hometown intensifies as the Spring Festival approaches.
\"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 shares, her eyes reflecting both excitement and nostalgia.
Nearby, another traveler, Ms. Zhong, prepares for her journey back to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she admits that the city's rapid growth hasn't diminished her longing for home during this special time.
\"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 says with a warm smile.
The scene at the station is a testament to the significance of the Spring Festival, a time when millions across China embark on journeys to reunite with loved ones. This annual migration, often dubbed the world's largest human movement, showcases the deep-rooted cultural importance of family and tradition in Chinese society.
As high-speed trains whisk travelers across vast distances, stories like those of Wang Hui and Zhong highlight the universal desire for connection and the enduring importance of home.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
