China’s Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, eight-day holiday kicked off on Tuesday. The government predicts people will make a record 9 billion trips around this season. The Spring Festival falls on Wednesday this year.
Airports and train stations have been crowded with people going to their hometowns and tourist destinations since mid-January, ahead of the start of the holiday.
Many people, including families, carrying large amounts of baggage were seen at an airport in Guangzhou in the southern province of Guangdong on Monday.
A man heading for the northeastern province of Heilongjiang said he will see his relatives and friends in his hometown. He also said he hopes his family will stay healthy and lead a peaceful life during the new year.
Another man who said he would visit Japan for the first time mentioned he wants to eat “wagyu” beef there because he heard it is delicious. He also said he looks forward to seeing the Japanese lifestyle.
The Chinese government expects 9 billion trips by people using cars, trains, planes and other means during the 40-day period in and around the holiday.
A major travel firm says Japan is the most popular among foreign destinations during the holiday period. It notes that other places near China, such as Thailand and Malaysia, are also popular.
