At 5:30 a.m., the first light of dawn flickered over Shenzhen North Railway Station as Wang Hui stood amidst a crowd of eager travelers. Clutching her ticket for the 6:08 a.m. high-speed train to Xi'an City, she smiled despite the early hour and the long journey ahead.
\"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family here,\" Wang said. \"But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
Wang is among millions of people across China embarking on their annual pilgrimage home for the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year. Despite building a life in the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen, the tradition of reuniting with family remains a powerful draw.
Another traveler, Ms. Zhong, was heading back to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she said the city's rapid growth had never lessened her homesickness during the festival.
\"I've planned this trip for a month,\" Zhong shared. \"The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us.\"
The Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China, prompting the world's largest annual human migration. This year, with eased travel restrictions and an eagerness to reconnect after challenging times, the number of travelers is expected to reach record highs.
High-speed trains like the one Wang and Zhong are boarding have revolutionized travel, shrinking distances across the vast country. Yet, the journey home remains more than just a physical trip; it's an emotional return to roots.
As the departure time neared, announcements echoed through the station, and the crowd began to move toward the platforms. Wang checked her luggage one last time. \"I can't wait to see my parents and enjoy my mother's cooking,\" she said with a laugh.
For many like Wang and Zhong, the Spring Festival is not just a holiday but a cherished ritual of reunion and tradition, reaffirming familial bonds that stand strong despite the distances of modern life.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
