At 5:30 a.m., under the soft glow of early morning lights, Wang Hui stood at Shenzhen North Railway Station with her family. They awaited the first high-speed train bound for Xi'an, departing at 6:08 a.m. Despite having built a life in the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen, Wang felt an undeniable pull towards her hometown as the Spring Festival approached.
\"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family,\" Wang said, a gentle smile crossing her face despite the early hour. \"But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
Nearby, another traveler, Ms. Zhong, prepared for her journey back to Chenzhou in Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, the city's rapid growth had not diminished her longing to reunite with family during this special time.
\"I've planned this trip for a month,\" Zhong shared. \"The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us.\"
Across China, millions are making similar journeys, participating in what is often referred to as the largest annual human migration. The Spring Festival, steeped in tradition and cultural significance, sees families reunite to celebrate and welcome the new year together.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
