BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The Spring Festival (chunjie) is the most important festival for Chinese people and a time for family reunions. Before the eve of the New Year, people try to get back home from every corner of the country to join the entire family, making it the busiest time for the country's transportation systems.

    The Chinese New Year's Day falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month, often one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one.

    Traditionally, the Spring Festival starts in the early days of the 12th lunar month and lasts through the middle of 1st lunar month of the next year. Of them, the most important days are the Spring Festival Eve and the following three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese New Year.

    (Agencies)