As dawn breaks over Shenzhen North Railway Station, the bustling hub is livelier than usual. At 5:30 a.m., Wang Hui stands amidst a throng of travelers, her family's luggage stacked neatly beside her. They are about to embark on the first high-speed train journey from Shenzhen, a major city in south China, to Xi'an, an ancient city in the northwest, departing at 6:08 a.m.
Wang Hui, a mother and long-term resident of the metropolis, reflects on her annual pilgrimage back to her hometown for the Spring Festival. \"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family,\" she shares, a warm smile lighting up her face despite the early hour. \"But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is China's most significant traditional holiday. It's a time when millions journey across the country to reunite with loved ones, resulting in one of the world's largest human migrations.
Another traveler, Ms. Zhong, is also among the sea of passengers. Heading back to her hometown in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province, she has lived in Shenzhen for more than a decade. Yet, the city's rapid growth has not lessened her homesickness during the festival.
\"I've planned this trip for a month,\" Zhong says, her eyes reflecting both excitement and nostalgia. \"The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us.\"
For many like Wang and Zhong, the journey home is more than just a physical trip; it's a return to roots and heritage. The anticipation of reuniting with family, sharing festive meals, and participating in age-old customs fuels their determination to brave crowded trains and long distances.
This year's Spring Festival travel rush is expected to break records, signaling not only the enduring importance of family and tradition in Chinese culture but also the resilience of the nation's transportation infrastructure.
As the boarding announcement echoes through the station, Wang Hui gathers her family. \"No matter how far we go or how big the cities we live in,\" she muses, \"home is where the heart is, especially during the Spring Festival.\"
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
