In pictures: Millions of Chinese begin exodus for Lunar New Year holiday

Millions of Chinese have begun the annual exodus to welcome in the Year of the Pig, leaving major cities to return to their hometowns for the holiday in the world's largest annual human migration.

People select ornaments for Spring Festival on a market in Yantai city, east China's Shandong province.

People select ornaments for Spring Festival on a market in Yantai city, east China's Shandong province. Source: ICHPL Imaginechina

Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar and is the world's largest annual human migration.
Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar and is the world's largest annual human migration. Source: Visual China Group


The most important holiday in the Chinese calendar places great emphasis on family reunions, and travellers must get home by Monday to usher in the Year of the Pig the following day. 

Hangzhou East Railway Station  in Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province is clogged with mass crowds heading home for the celebrations.
Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province is clogged with mass crowds heading home for the celebrations. Source: Visual China Group


At Beijing Railway Station, thousands were milling around in the cold, wrapped up in thick coats and wheeling their luggage.

The travel rush started on Monday and crowds are not expected to die down until Friday.
The travel rush started on Monday and crowds are not expected to die down until Friday. Source: Visual China Group


Readying for a 32-hour journey from Beijing to Huaihua in Hunan province, central China, passengers kept themselves entertained on mobile phones while sipping tea from flasks and eating noodles. 

For some, the train journey home can take as long as 32-hours.
For some, the train journey home can take as long as 32-hours. Source: Visual China Group


Rail operators expect some 413 million trips during this year's holiday season, up 8.3 percent from a year ago, the official Xinhua news agency reported. 

 
In Hangzhou, crowds enjoy thousands of red lanterns just lit on a footbridge to welcome the  Spring Festival, which runs for 40 days.
In Hangzhou, crowds enjoy thousands of red lanterns just lit on a footbridge to welcome the Spring Festival, which runs for 40 days. Source: Getty


Several Chinese cities have decorated colorful lanterns and lights to welcome the Lunar New Year.

People select ornaments for Spring Festival on a market in Yantai city, east China's Shandong province.
People select ornaments for Spring Festival on a market in Yantai city, east China's Shandong province. Source: ICHPL Imaginechina


A woman runs under a sea of red lanterns.
A woman runs under a sea of red lanterns. Source: Visual China Group


Aerial view of villagers holding red lanterns as they prepare to usher in the 2019 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig.
Aerial view of villagers holding red lanterns as they prepare to usher in the 2019 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig. Source: Visual China Group


A tourist town in eastern China is trying to attract health conscious visitors with hot springs designed to look like a fiery hotpot, a popular Chinese dish said to drive away winter blues.

Hot Pot Shaped Hot Spring In Hangzhou To Welcome Chinese New Year
People born in the Year of the Pig drink beer in a hot pot shaped hot spring. Source: Visual China Group


Visitors to the First World Hotel in Hangzhou can dip into a hot spring bath, shaped like a rectangular copper pot with nine compartments, each containing popular hotpot ingredients like chilli peppers, lime, corn and lettuce. 

People born in the Year of the Pig eat kebabs in a hot pot shaped hot spring.
People born in the Year of the Pig eat kebabs in a hot pot shaped hot spring. Source: Visual China Group


Across China, bright and colourful latern shows have been lighting up the night sky. 

LColored lanterns are illuminated on the water during a lantern show.
Colored lanterns are illuminated on the water during a lantern show. Source: Visual China Group


 
A colored lantern featuring a phoenix is illuminated during a lantern show.
A colored lantern featuring a phoenix is illuminated during a lantern show. Source: Visual China Group



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2 min read
Published 31 January 2019 1:40pm
Updated 1 February 2019 8:49am
Source: AFP, Getty

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