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Travel surge for Chinese New Year China ushers in year of the pig
(1 day later)
Millions of people are returning home for the start of Chinese New Year in what is described as the world's biggest human migration. People across China are celebrating the arrival of the Lunar New Year - China's most important festival which is seen as particularly auspicious this year.
More than 150 million people in China alone have been on the move this week as they return to their families for the 15 days of festivities. The year of the pig is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity. But this time it is a golden pig year, which happens once in six decades.
Sunday marks the start of the Year of the Golden Pig, which is believed to be particularly auspicious. Vast numbers have been on the move to be with their family for celebrations.
Chinese hospitals are reported to be gearing up for a baby boom. Carnival dragons have been on parade and fireworks have been lighting up the night sky in Beijing and elsewhere.
Babies born during the year are believed to be destined for great wealth and happiness. State TV broadcast images of President Hu Jintao visiting a Chinese family to wish them well.
The festivities have already been getting under way across many parts of Asia, with a large number of businesses shutting for the break. Big shut-down
Ethnic Chinese in the Chinese quarter of the Philippine capital were celebrating with dragon dances and fireworks before dawn on Friday, the Associated Press reports. The whole country of China has been getting ready to celebrate.
The traditional red lanterns - a symbol of good luck - are being hung up, and this year so too are decorations and statues of pigs.
Golden piggy banks are said to be a particularly popular new year gift.
Migrant workers
The BBC's James Reynolds joined the scramble for tickets at Beijing's main train station earlier in the week.
He watched as the 1550 train to the city of Hungjo in southern China departed with people crammed into doorways, unable to find seats.
YEAR OF THE GOLDEN PIG The pig is the last of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiacPigs symbolise good luck, but also turbulence2007 is the year of the fire (golden) pigBabies born in Golden Pig years are believed to be particularly lucky Celebrations in picturesYEAR OF THE GOLDEN PIG The pig is the last of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiacPigs symbolise good luck, but also turbulence2007 is the year of the fire (golden) pigBabies born in Golden Pig years are believed to be particularly lucky Celebrations in pictures
It will be the only time many of the passengers - the bulk of whom are likely to be migrant workers - will get to go home and see their families in the year, our correspondent says. There are red lanterns hanging in the parks, dragon dance performances and traditional fairs at some of the country's biggest temples.
A record 2.17bn passenger trips on trains, planes and buses are expected to be made in China alone as the estimated 155 million people - more than Russia's entire population - head home. More than 150,000 million people have travelling, using whatever means of transport they can to get to their home town and join in family celebrations.
Chinese New Year is a time for people to spend with their families, visit relatives and friends, hold feasts, buy new clothes and exchange red envelopes of gift money. Direct flights are also allowed between China and Taiwan for New Year.
Increased affluence and a greater number of migrant workers has added to the strain on China's transport system.
'Turbulence'
The Year of the Golden Pig falls once every 60 years.The Year of the Golden Pig falls once every 60 years.
Some soothsayers warn that the pig can bring turbulence, and warn of a rise in natural disasters and conflict in 2007.Some soothsayers warn that the pig can bring turbulence, and warn of a rise in natural disasters and conflict in 2007.
The Year of the Pig will also be celebrated with greater sensitivity in some Asia countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia with large Muslim populations, which view pigs as offensive and unclean.
 The Year of the Pig will also be celebrated with greater sensitivity in some Asia countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia with large Muslim populations, which view pigs as offensive and unclean.
How are you planning to celebrate Chinese New Year? Were you born in the year of the Golden Pig? Are you in China and are you going to travel to your home village? Send us your travel tales and hopes for the new year using the form below.
How are you celebrating Chinese New Year? Were you born in the year of the Golden Pig? Are you in China and have you travelled to your home village? Send us your travel tales and hopes for the new year using the form below.
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