At 5:30 a.m., the air at Shenzhen North Railway Station is filled with anticipation as Wang Hui and her family wait to board the first high-speed train to Xi'an, departing at 6:08 a.m. A longtime resident of Shenzhen in south China, Wang has built a life in the bustling metropolis but finds herself drawn back to her hometown every Spring Festival.
"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 said, smiling despite the early hour and the long journey ahead.
Another traveler, Ms. Zhong, is heading back to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she notes that the city's rapid growth has never lessened her homesickness during the Spring Festival.
"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 shared warmly.
The scenes at Shenzhen North Railway Station reflect a common sentiment across the nation. As the Spring Festival approaches, millions embark on journeys to reunite with loved ones, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural importance of family and tradition in China.
