China is bracing for a cold snap over the next three days from today ahead of the Spring Festival. The frigid weather comes as Chunyun, or the Spring Festival travel rush enters its peak. Xu Xinchen takes a look at how the country's rail network is ensuring the smooth travel of hundreds of millions of people.
XU XINCHEN Chengdu "It is the time for the largest human migration again! Hundreds of millions travel back home to celebrate the most important festival in China – Chunjie, the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. To accommodate these many travelers, a highly developed rail system is essential."
From January 14 to February 22, spanning 40 days, China's rail system is expecting half a billion passenger trips. Yep, you heard that right!
More than 14,000 trains are on the move each day to get everyone to their destination. Stations? Packed. People? Lined up orderly like pros – waiting for their turn to head home. And guess what? I'm right here in the thick of it.
XU XINCHEN Chengdu "Riding on an early morning train, a lot of people. And we are seeing a lot of luggage, small bags, large bags, bags that are even taller than an adult human."
Yes, one of the cherished and exciting traditions is to take back home Nianhuo, regional specialties for celebrating the Chinese new year with families.
The train I'm on goes to the mountainous regions of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture. It used to take half a day to travel there from Chengdu, a logistics hub of southwest China. But now? About three hours!
Crew Head: While this train is very fast, it rides very smoothly.
Reporter: I also saw people doing their makeup.
Reporter: Do you often do makeup on a train?
Passenger: Not really. This is the first time.
Reporter: So far so good?
Passenger: I am very happy. And this is my first time taking this train to Xichang. I feel very good. Since I am taking my kid, high-speed train is faster and more convenient."
This train is part of China's famous Fuxinghao fleet, zooming at up to 350 kilometers per hour! Though on this mountain route, we're going at a chill 160 km/h. Still pretty fast!
YANG CHENGXIAO Head, High-speed Train Crew "During the Spring Festival travel season in the past, our trains were packed with people. Now, we've added more train services, and with the introduction of high-speed trains, travel time has been greatly reduced."
From crowded, old-school trains to smooth, fast, and comfy journeys to nearly anywhere in China – this is a whole new world.
"Now, with better policies and the country's economic development, we're also enjoying the benefits it brings us. I think it's really great – everything feels okay and genuinely good. Over the past few years, the country has done a great job improving transportation."
China's high-speed rail network now stretches a whopping 47,000 kilometers – enough to circle the globe! But wait, the total railway network in China is more than 160,000 kilometers – that includes everything, from cargo trains to slower passenger trains. For more remote areas, slower conventional trains are being kept. I lucked out and hopped on one of those slower trains, where I caught a mini celebration onboard. Talk about a festive way to travel!
ZHOU LIMING Captain, Unit 2, Combined Operations Team "During the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, local people often take this small slow train with things like cured meat or local specialties to visit relatives and friends and share with them. This train plays a very important role in mobilizing local people."
I even spotted baskets of live chickens being carried home on the train! China's colossal railway network is more than just a means to bring people home for the Spring Festival. It's the backbone for 1.4 billion people – connecting families, preserving traditions, and driving the country forward. Xu Xinchen, CGTN, Sichuan Province.