China ushered in its largest annual population migration on Monday, 15 days ahead of the 2026 Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year.

　　A total of 9.5 billion passenger trips are expected during this year's travel rush period that will end on March 13, which will be a historic high. (Xinhua/Wu Lu)

　　Miao Xinpeng (2nd R), a college freshman, is pictured along with three high school classmates on board train No. K4069 before traveling back to his hometown in east China's Jiangxi for the Spring Festival from Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, early on Feb. 2, 2026. China ushered in its largest annual population migration on Monday, 15 days ahead of the 2026 Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year.

　　A total of 9.5 billion passenger trips are expected during this year's travel rush period that will end on March 13, which will be a historic high. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

　　Seven-year-old Xixi (R) is pictured with her mother on train No. K4069 before traveling back to their hometown Zhoukou in central China's Henan Province for the Spring Festival from Beijing West Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, early on Feb. 2, 2026. China ushered in its largest annual population migration on Monday, 15 days ahead of the 2026 Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year.

　　A total of 9.5 billion passenger trips are expected during this year's travel rush period that will end on March 13, which will be a historic high. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)