At 5:30 a.m., Wang Hui stood amidst the bustling crowd at Shenzhen North Railway Station. Alongside her family, she awaited the first high-speed train departing at 6:08 a.m. from the vibrant metropolis of Shenzhen in south China's Shenzhen City to the historic city of Xi'an in northwest China.
A mother and permanent resident of the metropolis, Wang has built a life in Shenzhen since her university days. Yet, the approach of the Spring Festival awakens a yearning for her hometown that she cannot ignore.
\"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, her eyes reflecting both excitement and nostalgia despite the early hour.
Nearby, Ms. Zhong, another traveler, was preparing for her journey back to her hometown in Chenzhou, central China's Hunan Province. Having called Shenzhen home for over a decade, the city's rapid growth has never lessened her feelings of 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, her voice filled with anticipation.
Across the Chinese mainland, millions are embarking on similar journeys, marking one of the world's largest annual human migrations. The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a time when families reunite and cultural traditions are deeply observed.
The stories of Wang Hui and Zhong mirror the sentiments of countless others who, despite the allure and permanence of life in bustling cities like Shenzhen, feel an undeniable connection to their roots. The festival is not just a public holiday; it's a profound cultural phenomenon that underscores the importance of family and heritage in Chinese society.
This year's travel surge reflects not only personal desires but also a collective eagerness to return to cherished traditions.
As trains depart and highways fill, the spirit of the Spring Festival comes alive, weaving individual journeys into a grand tapestry of reunion and celebration across the country.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
