China’s Spring Festival holiday rush starts

China’s annual Spring Festival travel rush has begun in earnest with millions of people expected to cross the country during the next 40 days.

The week-long celebration actually starts in two weeks time – the eve of the Chinese New Year, when tens of millions of migrant workers return home to see their families.

Despite having a 1,500 kilometre trip ahead of him one rail passenger said there was something extra special about going home: “A new year celebration is no fun otherwise. My parents have already prepared all my favourite foods. My father’s particularly excited and he’s already waiting for me at the train station.”

Authorities estimate some three billion individual passenger trips will be made during the New Year period – most of them on the country’s railway system.

Copyright © 2013 euronews