Spring Rush has changed dramatically
AS SPRING FESTIVAL, or Chinese Lunar New Year, approaches, people who work far away from home are making their way back to their hometowns. Beijing News comments:
As always, the huge number of people going home mean crowded trains, buses, as well as difficulties in getting a ticket. That’s why, in recent years, there have always been large groups of migrant workers going home on motorcycles.
That’s also why many journalists and photographers have been waiting at gas stations recently, waiting for a chance to report on the motorcycle cavalcades and get photos of them. Some photographers are even hoping to use drones to try and get dramatic shots.
However, the media might be disappointed this year because there are not many motorcyclists going home. Fewer people choose to suffer from long, cold rides on motorcycles now that it is easier than ever to travel by train.
In the past, one might have needed to travel 24 hours to reach Shaanxi province from Beijing by train. Now the journey takes just six to eight hours by high-speed train. The memory of lining up at midnight at train stations is still fresh in many people’s minds, yet today one can freely choose among different trains with a few clicks on a smartphone.
In the past, passengers had to prepare food in advance, or they would have nothing but instant noodles to eat on the train. Now it is easy to order a takeout using an app and have the food delivered when the train stops at a station.
Yet, while thanking our blessings for quick and easy travel that makes it possible for us to enjoy reunions with our families, let us not forget those who still have to work during Spring Festival — They deserve thanks from all of us.