Train stations and airports across China experienced a surge in travelers on Saturday as millions returned home for the Lunar New Year, marking an annual migration anticipated to set a record.
The Chinese New Year, known as the Year of the Snake, begins on Wednesday.
During this festive period, which includes eight consecutive public holidays, families come together to enjoy festive meals, attend traditional performances, and set off firecrackers and fireworks.
At Beijing West Station, an AFP reporter observed thousands of travelers bundled up in coats, many wearing face masks to stay healthy while navigating crowded trains, pulling their suitcases through the busy hallways before boarding.
Throughout the traditional 40-day travel period surrounding the holidays, approximately nine billion interprovincial passenger trips across all modes of transport are expected, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
This year’s migration is projected to reach “record highs” in train and air travel, as reported by Xinhua.
The transport ministry estimates 510 million train journeys and 90 million air trips during this time.
The national railway company has introduced thousands of additional trains to accommodate the surge in demand, highlighting that Saturday marks “the main peak” of travel ahead of the holidays.
In predicting and managing passenger flow, the railway company utilized ticket sales and waiting list data.
With many individuals working and studying outside their home provinces in search of better job prospects, significant population movement occurs during the New Year festivities.
Numerous factories have already closed for the holidays, leading many workers to return home earlier than the broader population.
While train travel was a lengthy challenge a decade ago, often taking several days, the rapid expansion of a fast and efficient high-speed rail network has simplified the travel experience significantly.
