Millions of people in China are returning to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year. Airports and railway stations are full of travellers making the annual trek home. This year is the Year of the Snake in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. It begins on the 29th of January. Overseas travel is popular this year. A travel agency said "bookings for outbound flights and holiday packages…had doubled from last year". The most popular destinations are in Asia.

China's New Year sees the world's biggest yearly movement of people. High-speed trains mean the number of people on the move has skyrocketed. Journeys are expected to hit record highs. The first New Year holiday began in China 3,500 years ago. Back then, far fewer people left their hometown. With the growth of China's economy, billions of people have moved for work. The subsequent annual exodus has been a boon for the economy.