At the break of dawn, at 5:30 a.m., Shenzhen North Railway Station buzzed with anticipation as Wang Hui prepared to board the first high-speed train heading from the bustling city of Shenzhen to the historic northwest city of Xi'an. The train, scheduled to depart at 6:08 a.m., marked the beginning of her long-awaited journey home for China's cherished Spring Festival.
Wang Hui, a resident of Shenzhen since her university days, stood alongside her family, her eyes reflecting a mix of excitement and nostalgia. Despite building a life in the metropolis, the pull of her hometown remains strong, especially during this festive season.
"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family here," Wang shared with a warm smile. "But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home."
Not far from Wang stood Ms. Zhong, another traveler laden with gifts and luggage, eagerly awaiting her train to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having called Shenzhen home for over a decade, Zhong expressed that the city's rapid growth and modernity have never diminished her longing for familiar traditions and family connections during the Spring Festival.
"I've planned this trip for a month," Zhong said, her voice filled with anticipation. "The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us."
Shenzhen, a symbol of China's economic prowess and innovation, witnesses a mass exodus of residents each year as millions journey back to their hometowns. The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, is the most significant cultural event in China, characterized by family reunions, traditional feasts, and the honoring of ancestors.
This year, the travel rush is expected to break records, with transportation hubs like Shenzhen North Railway Station operating at full capacity. The surge in travel underscores the enduring importance of familial bonds and cultural heritage in Chinese society, even amid the conveniences and opportunities of modern city life.
For many like Wang Hui and Ms. Zhong, the journey home is more than just a physical passage; it's a return to roots and a reaffirmation of identity. As the trains depart, carrying countless passengers across vast distances, they weave together the stories of individuals united by shared traditions and the timeless spirit of the Spring Festival.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
