Home for Chinese New Year: Home is where the parents are

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In recent years, many people living in the chilly north of China, especially the elderly, have preferred to spend winter and Chinese New Year in Hainan, the country's southernmost province, due to its warm climate and leisurely lifestyle.

Scenery in Hainan. /CGTN Photo

However, for most Chinese, the desire to be with family at this time of year is irresistible. So if parents decide to travel south for the winter, their children will just have to follow.

Travelers head back home. /CGTN Photo

Ren Lili, a high school teacher from Liaoning in the country's northeastern region, has been waiting for winter vacation to arrive ever since her parents left for Hainan's resort city, Sanya.

Ren Lili packs up. /CGTN Photo

Previously, Ren Lili celebrated Spring Festival with her parents in Liaoning every year. But now, with her parents in the far south, Ren Lili, who just ended a long, unhappy marriage, feels extremely eager to be home with her parents at this important time.

Ren Lili's mother. /CGTN Photo

Her vacation starts on Dec. 5, so she booked a plane ticket for that very day. She said that if she had booked a ticket for just a couple of days later, it would have been much cheaper, but she just couldn't wait.

Ren Lili on the way to airport. /CGTN Photo

Ren Lili's father, Ren Bao'an, suffers from diabetes, and moved to Hainan with his wife to spend the winter months in warmer climes to speed up his recovery. Living far from their hometown does not only mean getting used to a new way of life, but also a potentially incomplete family reunion.

Ren Lili's parents pick her up. /‍CGTN Photo

Fortunately, the distance has never been a problem for either the parents or the daughter. Flying south to meet the parents is the best New Year's gift for both.

Ren Lili has New Year banquet with her family. /CGTN Photo

For Chinese people, the happiness of the Chinese New Year can only be realized through gatherings in a place they call home. Whether this is because of the many celebratory toasts, the comfort of eating dumplings or just watching the comical skits on the TV gala, what really counts is that home is where the parents are.

CGTN Photo

This is our story of Home for Chinese New Year on CGTN.