People in China will make 3 billion trips in the next 40 days to celebrate Lunar New Year, the world's largest annual human migration

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People in China will make 3 billion trips in the next 40 days to celebrate Lunar New Year, the world's largest annual human migration
Travellers wait for their trains outside the entrance to Beijing railway station in the Chinese capital on January 10, 2020, as people begin to head for their hometowns ahead of the Lunar New Year.
  • For 40 days from January 10 to February 18, China celebrates the Lunar New Year Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year.
  • China's government estimates people will take 3 billion trips to celebrate in the largest annual human migration in the world.
  • This year it could be especially congested as the holiday overlaps with university students' winter holidays.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There's no worse time to travel in China.

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From January 10 to February 18, for 40 days, China is celebrating the Lunar New Year Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year. This year it could be especially congested as the holiday overlaps with university students' winter holidays.

Trains, planes, roads, and ferries will be filled to the brim as people journey home to be with their families.

One of the big reasons for the mass movement is that China is filled with workers who live in rural towns but work in the cities. Many of them, estimated to make up 20% of the Chinese population, head home for the celebrations.

Here's what the largest annual human migration in the world looks like in photos.

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Chunyun, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, has begun.

Chunyun, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, has begun.

Source: CNN

Over 40 days, from January 10 to February 18, about 3 billion trips will be made by travelers on the move.

Over 40 days, from January 10 to February 18, about 3 billion trips will be made by travelers on the move.

Source: CNN

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Stations are already filling with masses of passengers waiting for buses, trains, planes, and ferries.

Stations are already filling with masses of passengers waiting for buses, trains, planes, and ferries.

It's the largest annual human migration in the world. By comparison, the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca usually includes about 2 million people.

It's the largest annual human migration in the world. By comparison, the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca usually includes about 2 million people.

Sources: China Daily, CNN, Business Insider

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While China follows the Gregorian calendar, its holidays are based on the moon's movements. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on January 25.

While China follows the Gregorian calendar, its holidays are based on the moon's movements. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on January 25.

China celebrates for another 15 days after that. The Year of the Pig ends, and the Year of the Rat begins.

China celebrates for another 15 days after that. The Year of the Pig ends, and the Year of the Rat begins.

Sourc: CNBC

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As China celebrates, red decorations are used everywhere. The color represents prosperity.

As China celebrates, red decorations are used everywhere. The color represents prosperity.

Source: National Geographic

The point of Chunyun is to celebrate family. It's focused on reunion and hope.

The point of Chunyun is to celebrate family. It's focused on reunion and hope.

Source: National Geographic

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Fireworks and lantern festivals are part of it, too, though they've decreased some as the government has tried to improve air quality. As of 2018, about 444 cities had banned or limited fireworks sales.

Fireworks and lantern festivals are part of it, too, though they've decreased some as the government has tried to improve air quality. As of 2018, about 444 cities had banned or limited fireworks sales.

Sources: National Geographic, Global Times

In such a large country, with a population greater than 1 billion, the celebration is an annual headache for airports and train stations.

In such a large country, with a population greater than 1 billion, the celebration is an annual headache for airports and train stations.

Sources: National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, CNN

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It's the earliest Chinese New Year in eight years, and could result in additional congestion issues since the holiday overlaps with university students' winter holidays.

It's the earliest Chinese New Year in eight years, and could result in additional congestion issues since the holiday overlaps with university students' winter holidays.

Source: CNN

Peak travel days are expected to be January 20 to January 22, and January 31 to February 1.

Peak travel days are expected to be January 20 to January 22, and January 31 to February 1.

Source: CNN

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One of the main causes of congestion is China's commuting work population. About 20% of China's population lives in rural areas but travels to cities to work, and many of them head home for the holiday.

One of the main causes of congestion is China's commuting work population. About 20% of China's population lives in rural areas but travels to cities to work, and many of them head home for the holiday.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Thousands of train services will be running to keep people moving, including bullet trains that go 185 mph. The country unveiled one that can go 217 mph last week.

Thousands of train services will be running to keep people moving, including bullet trains that go 185 mph. The country unveiled one that can go 217 mph last week.

Sources: CNN, Business Insider

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Staff have been prepped and ready to work on the largest rail network in the world.

Staff have been prepped and ready to work on the largest rail network in the world.

Source: CNN

According to Chinese government estimations, of the 3 billion trips, 440 million will be by train. Since last year's festivities, China built about 5,275 miles of new railroad.

According to Chinese government estimations, of the 3 billion trips, 440 million will be by train. Since last year's festivities, China built about 5,275 miles of new railroad.

Sources: China Daily, CNN

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China's government is also giving discounted tickets to people who take a "reverse route," trying to incentivize people to leave their rural towns and go celebrate in cities.

China's government is also giving discounted tickets to people who take a "reverse route," trying to incentivize people to leave their rural towns and go celebrate in cities.

Source: China Daily

Even so, the majority of journeys will be in cars. China's government estimates there will be about 2.43 billion road trips. This is a motorway during the holiday season back in 2018.

Even so, the majority of journeys will be in cars. China's government estimates there will be about 2.43 billion road trips. This is a motorway during the holiday season back in 2018.

Source: CNN

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It's a slow, tiring trip for many.

It's a slow, tiring trip for many.

And the stress on infrastructure is no laughing matter. In 2016, snow and freezing temperatures stranded 100,000 people at a single train station. China deployed 2,600 police guards to to maintain order.

And the stress on infrastructure is no laughing matter. In 2016, snow and freezing temperatures stranded 100,000 people at a single train station. China deployed 2,600 police guards to to maintain order.

Source: The Guardian

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Some Hong Kong protesters are using the holiday to continue calling for independence from China. As recently as January 1, 400 protesters were arrested during a march that turned violent.

Some Hong Kong protesters are using the holiday to continue calling for independence from China. As recently as January 1, 400 protesters were arrested during a march that turned violent.

Source: NBC News

For many, Chunyun is the best part of the year, and worth the congestion to see friends and family.

For many, Chunyun is the best part of the year, and worth the congestion to see friends and family.
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