China's Spring Festival Travel Rush: Families Reunite Amid Record Journeys
At 5:30 a.m., the first light of dawn barely piercing the night sky, Wang Hui stood amid a bustling crowd at Shenzhen North Railway Station. Clutching her ticket, she was set to board the first high-speed train from Shenzhen, in the heart of the Chinese mainland's southern economic powerhouse, to Xi'an, an ancient city in the northwest. The train would depart at 6:08 a.m., and Wang could hardly contain her excitement.
\"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family here,\" Wang said, her eyes reflecting both fatigue and joy. \"But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
Despite building a life in the metropolis, Wang, a mother and permanent resident, always yearns for her hometown during China's most significant traditional holiday. The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is a time when millions of people across the country undertake journeys—often spanning thousands of kilometers—to reunite with their families.
Standing nearby was Ms. Zhong, another traveler heading back to her hometown in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for more than a decade, she echoed Wang's sentiments. \"The city's rapid growth has never lessened my feelings of homesickness during the Spring Festival,\" Zhong shared. \"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.\"
This year, China is witnessing a record-breaking travel rush as pandemic restrictions ease and people seize the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. The Ministry of Transport estimated that over the 40-day Spring Festival travel period, known as Chunyun, there will be a surge in passenger trips across the country.
High-speed trains, like the one Wang and Zhong are boarding, have revolutionized travel in the Chinese mainland, shrinking vast distances and making remote regions more accessible. The advancement of infrastructure has not only boosted economic growth but also strengthened social bonds by facilitating the annual mass migration.
Beyond travel, the Spring Festival offers a cultural feast. From vibrant lantern displays to traditional performances, communities come alive with celebrations that honor centuries-old customs. Families gather to share reunion dinners, watch the annual Spring Festival Gala on television, and set off fireworks to usher in the new year with hopes of prosperity and good fortune.
For Wang and Zhong, the journey home is more than a physical trip; it's a passage back to their roots. \"No matter where we build our lives, the Spring Festival reminds us of where we come from,\" Wang mused as the boarding announcement echoed through the station. \"It's a time to reconnect, reflect, and rejoice with family.\"
As the high-speed train whisked them away, millions of similar stories unfolded across the nation—a testament to the enduring importance of family and tradition in the ever-evolving landscape of modern China.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com