At 5:30 a.m., the dim light of dawn barely touches Shenzhen North Railway Station, but the platforms are already bustling with activity. Wang Hui, clutching her ticket, waits eagerly with her family to board the first high-speed train departing at 6:08 a.m. from Shenzhen City to Xi'an City in northwest China.
A mother and long-term resident of Shenzhen, Wang has built a life in the metropolis, yet the allure of her hometown beckons, especially during the Spring Festival.
\"I've been in Shenzhen since university, and now I have my own family,\" Wang shares, smiling despite the early hour. \"But every year, as the Spring Festival approaches, I can't help but feel the pull of home.\"
Nearby, another traveler, Ms. Zhong, is returning to her hometown in Chenzhou, Hunan Province. Having lived in Shenzhen for more than a decade, she echoes similar sentiments.
\"The city's rapid growth has never lessened my feelings of homesickness during the Spring Festival,\" Zhong says. \"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.\"
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most significant holiday in China, prompting the world's largest annual human migration. Millions of people journey home to reunite with their families, cherishing time-honored customs and rituals.
Shenzhen, a hub of innovation and opportunity, attracts people from all over the country. Yet, as Wang and Zhong's stories illustrate, the ties to one's roots remain strong.
The scenes at railway stations across the city are a testament to this enduring tradition. Luggage-laden travelers hurry to platforms, children in tow, all sharing the common goal of being home in time for the festivities.
As the high-speed train pulls out of the station, carrying Wang and her family northwestward, it symbolizes not just physical movement, but a journey back to heritage and familial bonds.
For many, like Wang and Zhong, the Spring Festival is more than a holiday—it's a bridge between their past and present, a time to reflect on their journeys while honoring where they come from.
Reference(s):
China's Spring Festival: Record-breaking travel, cultural feast
cgtn.com
