More than 26 million Chinese traveled by train during the weeklong Chinese New Year period, up 2.1 percent over corresponding period of last year, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Railways.

 

The number of visitors on Feb. 24 hit 4.9 million, an all time high.

 

Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, lasted from Feb. 18 to 24 this year. it is one of the most important occasions for family reunion in China. People who left their hometown to work in various parts of the country come home during the Spring Festive, exerting a heavy pressure on railway transportation, an affordable and efficient means of transportation of long-distance travelers.

 

The Ministry of Railways has added hundreds of extra trains per day during the peak season.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2007)