China News Photos of the Week | Xinhua News Agency

(Beijing, 2026-02-07) –

A photograph captured at Beijing West Railway Station shows a family preparing to travel home for the Lunar New Year, highlighting the notable movement of people during the holiday period.

• Five-year-old Dai Chenxi was photographed with her grandparents at Beijing West Railway Station on February 1.
• The family was preparing to travel to their hometown on train K4069 with her mother,grandfather,and grandmother.
• The image is part of a photo selection released by Xinhua News Agency, showcasing scenes from across China.

A photograph taken late at night on February 1 depicts five-year-old Dai Chenxi playing in her grandfather’s arms while waiting at Beijing West Railway Station, according to Xinhua News Agency. The family was preparing to depart for their hometown aboard train K4069, traveling with her mother, grandfather, and grandmother.

Background and Context

The photograph captures a scene typical of the Chunyun, or Spring Festival travel rush, which is the world’s largest annual human migration. Millions of Chinese citizens travel to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year with family. the 40-day travel period began January 26 this year, and is expected to see 2.3 billion trips made by train, plane, and road, according to China’s Ministry of Transport. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most critically important holiday in the Chinese calendar.

Did you know? – the Spring Festival travel rush, known as Chunyun, began in the 1980s as China’s economy opened and internal migration increased. It’s now a defining feature of the holiday.

Xinhua News Agency regularly publishes photo selections offering a glimpse into life across China. These images frequently enough focus on significant events, cultural traditions, and everyday moments, providing a visual narrative of the country’s social and economic landscape.

Why It Matters

The image of Dai chenxi and her family encapsulates the importance of family and tradition during the Lunar New Year. It visually represents the dedication and effort many Chinese citizens make to return home for this crucial holiday. The photograph also serves as a reminder of the scale of internal migration within China and the logistical challenges associated with managing such a large movement of people.The image provides a human-interest element to the broader story of the Spring Festival travel rush, offering a relatable moment amidst the statistics and logistical details.

Pro tip – Planning ahead is crucial for travel during Chunyun. Tickets frequently enough sell out weeks in advance, and travelers should book early to secure their desired routes and times.

The Chunyun travel rush is a significant logistical undertaking, testing China’s transportation infrastructure and representing a major cultural event. This year’s rush, which began January 26th, is projected to involve 2.3 billion journeys. The rush is driven by the deeply ingrained cultural importance of family reunions during the Lunar New Year. The government has invested heavily in expanding rail networks and airport capacity to accommodate the massive demand. The rush is expected to conclude on March 8th,marking the end of the official holiday period.

Reader question – What does the Spring Festival meen to you and your family? Share your thoughts on the importance of cultural traditions.

time.news based this report on reporting by Xinhua News Agency and added self-reliant analysis and context.