Millions in China are boarding trains, planes and automobiles as the Lunar New Year travel rush, the world's largest seasonal human migration, reaches its climax.
China's most important festival starts today and people are travelling to either return to their hometowns or flock to holiday destinations. For many migrant workers in the country's industrialised east, the holiday may be the only time of year they return home to see family and friends.
Weeks before the rush, many travellers had used smartphone apps to snatch up tickets that later sold out. Some train journeys between cities and rural areas last more than 20 hours, with passengers crowded into cabins that are standing room only.
The state railway operator reported on Monday that 98.8 million people rode trains countrywide during the first 12 days of February. China's official Xinhua news agency said more than 1.1 million were expected to pass through railway stations in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday alone.
