The world's largest mass human migration is in full swing as hundreds of millions of people rush to catch a train back home to reunite with their families for the Lunar New Year. Every new year, China's massive army of migrant workers sets out for the often long and arduous journey back to their hometowns. For many this is the only time when they can be reunited with their families all year.
The 40-day travel frenzy known as "Chunyun" began on 13 January, and will last until 21 February. The total volume of passengers this year is expected to be almost three billion. That's about two journeys for every single member of China's population. The Year of the Rooster begins on Saturday (28 January).
Passengers wait to board trains at Shanghai's Hongqiao Railway StationAly Song/ReutersHuge crowds wait to board trains at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway StationAly Song/ReutersChinese paramilitary guards monitor passengers at Nantong Railway Station in Jiangsu provinceAFPPassengers queue and travel on escalators at Beijing South Railway StationNicolas Asfouri/AFPPassengers walk in the snow at a railway station in Shenyang, Liaoning provinceReutersA woman pulls her suitcase through the snow at a railway station in Shenyang, Liaoning provinceReutersA woman uses her mobile phone on a crowded train between Beijing and ShijiazhuangKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesPeople head home on a train between Beijing and ShijiazhuangKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA man carrying a television set on his back arrives to board a train at Beijing Railway StationKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA woman wheels her suitcase before catching a train back home from Beijing Railway StationKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesTravellers check their mobile phones as they ride in the standing room section of a crowded train between Beijing and ShijiazhuangKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesTwo people couple kiss as they say goodbye to each other before traveling home at Beijing Railway StationKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA paramilitary guard stands as passengers arrive at Beijing West Railway StationFred Dufour/AFPPassengers take escalators to their platforms at Beijing West Railway StationFred Dufour/AFPPassengers wave from inside a train at Beijing Railway StationNicolas Asfouri/AFPPassengers arrive at Beijing train station as they prepare to travel to their hometowns for the Spring Festival or Lunar New YearNicolas Asfouri/AFPPassengers queue at Beijing South Railway StationNicolas Asfouri/AFPPassengers wait for the departure of their train at Beijing Railway StationFred Dufour/AFP
