China’s annual Lunar New Year migration is under way
Chinese New Year travellers wait for their train at Beijing West Railway Station on January 31.
Hundreds of millions of Chinese will take trains, buses, boats and cars as they journey home to celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, which falls on February 10 this year.
Spring Festival is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar and many people travel for days to reach their families living in far-flung parts of the country.
The massive movement of people puts a huge strain on the country's transport infrastructure as migrant workers laden with bags of gifts, food and clothes cram into trains and buses, while cars clog the country's highways during the 40-day travel season.
For many people, the Spring Festival is their only chance during the year to see their families.
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.