Editor's note: China's annual Spring Festival travel rush began on Jan. 14 this year. Train No. K4159, which departed from Beijing West Railway Station for Hefei in Anhui province at 12:02 a.m., marked the start of this year's railway travel rush in Beijing.

During the 40-day peak travel season, millions of Chinese are expected to return home to reunite with their families for the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan. 29 this year.

A railway station staff member and passengers of train K4159 at Beijing West Railway Station mark the beginning of the annual Spring Festival travel rush, Jan. 14, 2025. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn]