As dawn breaks over Shenzhen North Railway Station, the usually bustling metropolis witnesses an even more animated scene. At 5:30 a.m., Wang Hui waits eagerly with her family to board the first high-speed train bound for Xi'an, a journey that will take her back to her roots in northwest China.
\"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,\" Wang said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation despite the early hour.
Wang is among millions of travelers embarking on the annual pilgrimage home for China's Spring Festival, a time-honored tradition that sees families reunite to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This year, the festival is marked by record-breaking travel as people across the nation embrace the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and partake in cultural festivities.
Another traveler, Ms. Zhong, is also making her way back to her hometown in Chenzhou, Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she reflects on how the city's rapid growth hasn't diminished her longing for home during this special time.
\"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, her voice filled with warmth.
The mass movement of people during the Spring Festival, often dubbed the world's largest annual human migration, underscores the deep-rooted cultural significance of family and tradition in Chinese society. High-speed trains, like the one Wang and Zhong are boarding, have made these long journeys more accessible, bridging vast distances as families come together to welcome the new year.
As the train departs at 6:08 a.m., carrying passengers toward heartfelt reunions and cherished customs, the spirit of the Spring Festival continues to illuminate the bonds that tie individuals to their heritage, no matter where life has taken them.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
