Why do so many people travel during Chinese New Year?

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

With the arrival of the Spring Festival comes another annual event that captures the attention of millions: the Spring Festival travel rush, known as "Chunyun" (春运) in Chinese. Tday, we'll delve into the reasons why so many people travel during Chinese New Year and explore the significance of Chunyun in Chinese culture.

Family Reunion (家庭团聚)

Chinese New Year is widely regarded as the most important traditional holiday in China, emphasizing the importance of family and kinship. Many people travel long distances to return 返回 (fǎn huí) home to their families and hometowns, regardless of the challenges and obstacles they may encounter. The desire to reunite with loved ones during Chinese New Year is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, and Chunyun provides an opportunity for families to come together, share meals, exchange gifts, and celebrate the New Year festivities as a unit.

返回 (fǎn huí), verb, return

Exampes:

  1. Please return the book to the library.
    请把书返回图书馆。
    Qǐng bǎ shū fǎn huí tú shū guǎn.
  2. He will return home after finishing his work.
    他完成工作后会返回家。
    Tā wánchéng gōngzuò hòu huì fǎn huí jiā.

Cultural Tradition (文化传统)

Chunyun is deeply rooted in Chinese cultural tradition and heritage. Historically, Chinese New Year was the only time of the year when people had the opportunity to travel long distances to visit relatives and pay respects to ancestors. Over time, this tradition evolved into a mass 群众 (qún zhòng) migration phenomenon as urbanization and modern transportation systems made travel more accessible. Today, Chunyun remains an integral part of Chinese culture, symbolizing the importance of familial bonds, filial piety, and cultural continuity.

群众 (qún zhòng), noun, mass

Examples:

  1. The mass gathered in the square for the rally.
    群众聚集在广场上参加集会。
    qúnzhòng jùjí zài guǎngchǎng shàng cānjiā jíhuì.
  2. The mass protested peacefully against the government's decision.
    群众和平抗议政府的决定。
    qúnzhòng hépíng kàngyì zhèngfǔ de juédìng.

Economic Opportunities (经济机遇)

For many migrant workers and urban residents, Chinese New Year presents a valuable opportunity to return to their hometowns and participate in local economic activities. During the holiday season, rural areas experience an influx of visitors who contribute to local businesses, markets, and tourism. Additionally, Chunyun stimulates economic growth through increased spending on transportation, food, and gifts, providing a boost to local economies across the country.

Key sentences:

  • Are you traveling home for the Spring Festival travel rush?
    你要赶春运回家吗？
    Nǐ yào gǎn chūnyùn huí jiā ma?
  • Yes, I've already booked my train ticket.
    是的，我已经订好了火车票。
    Shì de, wǒ yǐjīng dìng hǎo le huǒchē piào.
  • I heard the Spring Festival travel rush is very crowded.
    我听说春运很拥挤。
    Wǒ tīng shuō chūnyùn hěn yōngjǐ.

Related Articles

 

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

We offer a referral program that rewards both you and your friend with free classes.To participate, simply refer a friend to our program and once they successfully enroll, both you and your friend will receive free classes.We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and your friend achieve your language learning goals.
As a first - time student, if you are not completely satisfied with our service, we offer a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel your subscription before the first month. In such cases, we only charge a one - month fee and refund the remaining balance to you as soon as possible.We strive to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied with our service and are committed to providing a hassle - free refund process.
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
Our teaching methodology is centered around our students and their individual learning objectives.We provide personalized learning plans, innovative and flexible teaching materials and methods, and strive to make learning Chinese a joyful and enjoyable experience.Our approach is designed to engage students and foster a deep understanding of the Chinese language, culture, and customs. We believe that learning should be fun and meaningful, and we work hard to ensure that every student enjoys their Chinese language learning journey with us.
Our instructors are highly skilled and experienced experts in Chinese language teaching, with proficiency in multiple languages. They hold at least a bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and possess extensive teaching experience and knowledge. Through a rigorous selection process and ongoing training, our instructors are equipped to provide students with authentic pronunciation, accurate language usage, and cultural background knowledge, all of which are essential for achieving mastery of the Chinese language.