China Braces for Massive Annual Migration as Lunar New Year Approaches

Kathmandu. As the Lunar New Year approaches, the annual travel rush has begun across China, considered the world's largest human migration. The government estimates that nearly 9.5 billion travelers will move during the 40-day travel period. This is the highest number ever recorded.

Liu Zhikuan, who is from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, works in a construction site about two thousand kilometers away in Beijing. He is preparing for a train journey of over 30 hours to return home. Although the high-speed train can cover the distance in nine hours, he chose the cheaper, slower train because the cost is more than double. He stated that earning has become difficult due to the weak economy.

During this travel period, known as 'Chunyun' in China, hundreds of millions of workers return to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with their families. According to government statistics, approximately 5.4 billion travelers are expected via rail and 950 million via air. The remaining travelers will travel by road.

Amid long working hours and limited annual leave, the Lunar New Year is a precious opportunity for many. Travelers carrying large bags and suitcases were seen waiting for trains at Beijing's railway stations. Some travelers are spending time eating 'instant noodles' using the free hot water available at the station.

Tian Duofei, who recently started working full-time in Beijing, said she is looking forward to the nine-day holiday starting February 15. She mentioned that long holidays have become rare since starting work, and she feels that meeting family is becoming less frequent. According to her, the Spring Festival is an important time for family reunions.

Tian Yunxia, who is from Henan province and runs a breakfast stall in Beijing, also said she wants to go home to celebrate the New Year with her family. According to her, if one cannot return home, they cannot truly experience the festival.