At the break of dawn, Wang Hui stood at Shenzhen North Railway Station, her eyes reflecting both fatigue and excitement. It was 5:30 a.m., and she was eagerly awaiting the first high-speed train departing at 6:08 a.m. from the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen to the historic city of Xi'an in northwest China.
\"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family,\" Wang explained, her smile warm despite the early hour. \"But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
For Wang, a permanent resident of Shenzhen and a mother, the Spring Festival is more than a holiday; it's a time-honored tradition of reunion and reflection. Despite building a life in the city, the yearning for her hometown remains strong, especially during this significant time of year.
Nearby, another traveler, Ms. Zhong, was preparing for her journey back to Chenzhou in central China's Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for over a decade, she shared similar sentiments of homesickness during the Spring Festival.
\"I've planned this trip for a month,\" Zhong said, her anticipation evident. \"The Spring Festival is when you want to be with family and embrace the traditions that connect us.\"
The shared feelings of Wang and Zhong highlight a common theme among Shenzhen's residents during the Spring Festival. Despite the city's rapid growth and the lives they've built there, the tradition of returning home remains deeply ingrained.
For many, the journey home is more than just travel; it's a reunion with family and a reconnection with roots that continue to call them back, year after year.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
