Saturday saw a huge spike in travel at train stations and airports across China. Millions of people were heading home for the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the holiday season. This year’s travel migration is expected to set a new record.
A busy travel period
The Chinese New Year, which begins on Wednesday, signals the start of the Year of the Snake. It brings eight consecutive public holidays. This time off allows families to enjoy meals together, attend cultural performances, and take part in festive activities like lighting fireworks.
At Beijing West Station, thousands of passengers filled the terminals. Many wore face masks and bundled up in coats, preparing for their journeys. Some carried their luggage through the crowd to board the trains.
The travel rush will continue for about 40 days, including the period before, during, and after the holiday. Xinhua, the official news agency, expects almost nine billion interprovincial trips to be made across all transport types. This includes both train and air travel.
The Ministry of Transport predicts that around 510 million train journeys and 90 million flights will take place. Railway authorities have added thousands of extra trains to accommodate the increase in passengers. Saturday marked the peak of the travel rush before the holiday itself.
The impact of migration on patterns
Many people work or study away from home, so they typically return to their hometowns during the New Year. Factories have already closed, and workers often head home earlier than others.
While train journeys used to be long and uncomfortable, China’s high-speed rail network now offers a far quicker and more comfortable travel experience. The expansion of this network has made long-distance trips significantly easier.
