Nine Billion Trips Expected in China in Lunar New Year Travel Season

The actual new year holiday, which marks the start of the year of the snake in the 12-month lunar calendar, comes on Wednesday, while New Year’s Eve on Tuesday is reserved for family gatherings and traditionally fireworks displays.

Many began travelling on January 14 and the rush will reach a peak over the weekend. In total, 9 billion trips —mostly by car— are expected over the 40-day travel rush, the AP reported.

Trips by train will surpass 510 million, with another 90 million travelling by air. The government didn’t say how the travel figures compared with any other 40-day period during the year.

Trips are now far more comfortable than in past years, when travelers often crammed into train cars for trips that could last days —if they were fortunate enough to buy a ticket, which are now mostly sold online.

Traditionally the festival has been a time for families to gather, with members of China’s huge migrant worker population using up all their vacation time on the annual visit that for many offers the only chance to see parents and children.