As the Spring Festival draws near, a large number of Chinese travelers bearing traditional festive specialties are journeying home to reunite with their families to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
So far, a 40-day-long Spring Festival travel rush, also known as "Chunyun", has already unfolded in China. It is a period of high transportation demand coinciding with the country's largest annual holiday, the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.
This year's Spring Festival travel rush runs from Jan. 14 to Feb. 22.
Red couplets, lion dances, and heartfelt wishes fill the atmosphere at Chengdudong Railway Station, one of the busiest stations in southwestern province of Sichuan, where the festive spirit is electric. Amid the bustling scene, travelers carry bags of all sizes -- some even larger than themselves.
"I brought some nuts. These are almonds. I just returned from Xinjiang," said a traveler.
Regional specialty foods remain a favorite for travelers sharing the taste of different areas with their families. But younger generations are increasingly opting for unique regional souvenirs. Chengdu, for instance, is famous for its panda culture.
"Snacks and panda-themed accessories," said another traveler.
Meanwhile, the station is fully prepared to accommodate the influx of eager travelers and their multitude of luggage.
"We've added more security checkpoints to reduce wait times for passengers entering the station," said Wu Xuemengyuan, a staffer at Chengdudong Railway Station.
Millions of travelers in China flock home for Spring Festival bearing reunion gifts
Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon.
Voting began at 06:00 local time on Sunday. At 16:00, an election official at a polling station in Yangon's Latha township announced the closure of the polling station.
Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments).
The second phase of the election was held in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states. In the Yangon region, it was held in 16 townships, including the townships of Latha, Bahan, Kyimyindaing and Kawhmu.
"We welcome the election, which is expected to bring new changes to the country," said a Yangon resident.
"I hope the parties can lead us and make it a better country, which is why I support the election," said another voter.
Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election is being held in three phases, with the first phase held in 102 townships on Dec 28 last year, and the third phase scheduled for Jan 25 this year in 63 townships.
"The parliament is scheduled to convene in March. Following the conclusion of the session, the new government will officially take office in April. We hope that more foreign investment will flow into Myanmar, enabling the public to enjoy the opportunities generated by the country's economic development more fully," said Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) said that about 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the three phases of the election, adding that it plans to set up over 21,000 polling stations across the country for all three phases of the general election.
The election will produce the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.
Voting for 2nd phase of Myanmar's general election concludes
