Chunyun begins as Shenzhen eases the journey home

The annual Spring Festival travel season, widely known as Chunyun, officially kicked off today, and Shenzhen is once again stepping up to help millions begin their journey home. 

Families and travelers make their way through a crowded departure hall at Shenzhen North Railway Station, one of the city’s busiest transport hubs during Chunyun. Photos by SNG unless otherwise stated

With Chunyun expected to set a new national record of 9.5 billion passenger trips this year, the city’s transport network — from railways and airlines to long-distance buses and the metro — is working around the clock to ensure safe, efficient, and heartwarming departures.

Rail: Shenzhen North upgrades services for record passenger flow

Train C7152 to Yueyang East in Hunan prepares to depart Shenzhen North Railway Station at 5:29 a.m. today, marking the official start of this year’s Spring Festival travel season.

Passengers settle in for their journeys home aboard a high-speed train departing from Shenzhen.

Train travel remains the backbone of Chunyun, and Shenzhen North Railway Station is bracing for record-breaking crowds this season. The station has been fully upgraded for the rush, with redesigned signage for easier navigation, AI-enhanced security screening to reduce wait times, and a smart lost-and-found system to speed up item recovery.

Ticketing policies have also been improved. For trips on or after Feb. 2, travelers booking through the 12306 app can cancel tickets within 30 minutes of purchase — at least four hours before departure — without penalty.

Officials say peak demand is concentrated in the days leading up to Lunar New Year, with a second wave expected during the return rush.

Air travel: Shenzhen Airlines adds flights, offers perks

Air travelers line up at a smart security checkpoint at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, where technology is helping ease congestion.

Shenzhen Airlines is operating close to 30,000 flights during the 40-day period, adding services on 43 popular domestic and international routes, including more flights to Harbin, Taiyuan, and Kuala Lumpur.

To help travelers save, the airline is offering seasonal fare discounts, red envelope vouchers, and targeted benefits for families, students, and connecting passengers.

Unaccompanied minors and elderly passengers can register for the airline’s escort service, which ensures full assistance from check-in to arrival.

Long-distance bus: Luohu leads with 44 seasonal routes

For travelers heading to nearby cities and towns, Shenzhen’s long-distance bus system offers expanded connectivity. This Chunyun, Luohu Bus Terminal is running 44 lines to destinations like Daya Bay, Dongguan South, and Huizhou, making it the city’s most active terminal.

Other terminals at Shenzhen North Railway Station, the airport, and Huanggang are offering a total of 24 additional routes covering Jiangxi, Hunan, and even Hong Kong.

All terminals have opened extra ticket counters and assistance lanes. On-site staff are ready to help seniors, families with young children, and others needing support.

Metro: 7 major hubs shift into Chunyun mode

Metro staff guide passengers during the morning rush at a Shenzhen Metro  interchange.

To handle passenger volume at key transfer points, Shenzhen Metro has activated a Chunyun-specific operation plan across seven hubs, including Luohu, Gangxia North, and Futian.

Real-time passenger flow monitoring is in place at Shenzhen North Station. At Dayun Station, new overhead sensors detect potential overcrowding early. Nearly 100 robotic cleaners are deployed for round-the-clock sanitation, and for the first time, an AI-powered guide dog is assisting passengers at Huangmugang Station.

A customer service staff at Shenzhen North Railway Station assists travelers at a ticket window adorned with festive Spring Festival decorations.

Special "Love Transit" shuttle buses are now running between the east and west exits of Shenzhen North Station from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering stop-on-request service to help passengers with luggage or mobility needs.

Metro staff are on alert to adjust crowd flow, reverse escalator directions during rush hours, and provide guidance in congested zones.