World News
China Lunar New Year travel rush begins; record 9.5 billion trips expected during ‘chunyun’
China’s annual Lunar New Year travel rush, known as chunyun, has begun with authorities expecting a record 9.5 billion trips as millions head home amid economic concerns.
China’s annual Lunar New Year travel rush, known as chunyun, has begun with authorities expecting a record 9.5 billion trips as millions head home amid economic concerns.
Beijing: China’s massive Lunar New Year travel rush, known as chunyun, has begun, with authorities forecasting a record 9.5 billion trips during the 40-day holiday period ahead of the festival on February 17.
Among the travellers is Liu Zhiquan, a construction worker in Beijing, who was preparing for a 30-plus-hour train journey to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, nearly 2,000 km away.
“Things feel worse this year than last. The economy is bad and it’s getting harder to make money,” Liu said.
To save money, Liu opted for a slower train instead of a high-speed service, which would have taken just nine hours but cost more than twice as much. Despite the long journey, he said returning home for the festival was non-negotiable.
World’s largest annual human migration
According to China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the chunyun period will see:
- 540 million trips by train
- 95 million trips by air
- The majority of journeys made by road
The Lunar New Year marks the only extended break many workers receive in a country where long working hours and limited annual leave are common.
Packed stations, long journeys
At Beijing’s major railway stations, passengers were seen crowding waiting halls with large bags and suitcases. Many relied on instant noodles, a popular travel staple, with stations providing free hot water.
Images from across the capital showed families and travellers braving queues and congestion to make it home in time for the celebrations.
Festival holds deep emotional value
For Tian Duofu, a young professional who recently began working full-time in Beijing, the nine-day holiday starting February 15 is especially meaningful.
“After I started working, I realised such a long holiday is rare. We see each other less and less in person, which makes the Spring Festival significant,” she said.
Similarly, Tian Yunxia, who runs a breakfast stall in Beijing and hails from Henan province, said returning home was essential.
“The New Year is the festival of the year. If we don’t go back home, we won’t feel the festival atmosphere,” she said. “I want to see my children, my grandchildren and my husband.”
As China grapples with economic uncertainty, the Lunar New Year remains a powerful symbol of family, tradition and reunion, drawing hundreds of millions onto the country’s roads, railways and skies once again.
