AFP: Train stations and airports across China witnessed a massive surge in travelers on Saturday as millions embarked on their journey home for the Lunar New Year. This annual migration, known as the world’s largest human movement, is expected to set a new record this year.
The festivities officially begin on Wednesday, marking the start of the Year of the Snake. For many, the holiday is a rare opportunity to reunite with family, share lavish feasts, enjoy traditional performances, and light up the sky with firecrackers and fireworks. With eight consecutive public holidays, the celebration is both a cultural and emotional homecoming.
At Beijing West Station, the scene was a whirlwind of motion. An AFP journalist observed thousands of travelers bundled up in thick parkas, their faces partially obscured by masks to ward off illness in the packed crowds. They weaved through the bustling hallways, dragging heavy suitcases behind them, eager to board the trains that would carry them home.
During the 40-day travel season surrounding the holiday, an estimated nine billion passenger trips—spanning trains, planes, buses, and cars—are expected, according to the official Xinhua news agency. This year’s migration is set to shatter previous records, with train and air travel leading the charge. The transport ministry predicts 510 million train trips and 90 million air journeys over the period, underscoring the sheer scale of the migration.
China’s national railway company has responded to the overwhelming demand by adding thousands of extra trains. Using advanced ticket sales data and waiting lists, officials meticulously plan and regulate travel supply to ensure smoother operations. Saturday marked the peak of pre-holiday departures, as people scrambled to reach their hometowns before the festivities commence.
For many workers and students who have relocated to different provinces for better opportunities, this homecoming is especially meaningful. Factories have already begun shutting down for the holiday, allowing workers to return home ahead of the broader population.
A decade ago, this journey was a grueling test of endurance, with train rides stretching over several days. However, China’s rapid expansion of its high-speed rail network has revolutionized travel, offering a faster, more comfortable experience. What was once an arduous expedition has now become a seamless transition back to family and tradition, making the Lunar New Year migration an awe-inspiring spectacle of movement, reunion, and celebration.
