BEIJING, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- This year, 2.8 billion trips are expected to be made during the 40-day spring festival travel period. Behind those trips are millions of Chinese people hurrying home to reunite with their families. We followed a couple on their journey home, and witnessed how this long-held family tradition has shaped the country as it is today.
A long-due hug that doesn't come easy.
"I miss home more when the festival gets closer," said Miao Guifang, Spring Festival traveller.
Miao Guifang is a Sichuan native and a subway construction worker in Beijing, who's no stranger to China's annual spring festival migration.
The holiday is the only time Miao can see her son back in her hometown. Sometimes, the seperation is very painful.
"I would sit, sometimes with my son's picture in hand, sometimes I cried. I would say to myself, I'm giving him a better life," Miao said.
This year, Miao's company helped migrant workers like her buy train tickets together. It comes as a very assuring move.
"In previous years, we would have to wait in long lines for days at the railway stations for tickets. And we weren't even sure if we would get one," said Miao's co-worker.
It was a 34-hour journey, but not a hard one for Miao and her husband, surrounded by people who share their dialect, and their experiences.
Chen Shuming also works in Beijing as a construction worker.
"I called my children and asked them to come home. They are migrant workers too. At first, they said no. They said they didn't have enough money. I said please come home with or withour money. Mom and Dad miss you. It's Spring Festival," Chen said.
Also on the train are many children. Born and raised in Beijing, for them, the trip to their hometown is more like an expedition.
Having children by their side in the big city is becoming more popular among young migrant workers.
"It's our obligation. I don't want to leave my child with my parents. They've finished their job raising us. It's our turn now," said Ma Kezhen, Spring Festival traveller.
For Miao's family, it was a long wait, and an emotional moment. Miao rushed to the kicthen after arriving home. She wanted to cook for her son herself.
"My parents worked hard to pay for my tuition and build this house," said Miao Hangchun, Miao Guifang's son.
Seeing everyone eating at the same table, this is the moment Miao Guifang worked for, and knows it's all worth it, not just the long journey, but also those lonely days thousands of miles away, in Beijing.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
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