The worst snow storm this year in Southern China had brought train networks to a virtual standstill. Many Chinese hoping to travel home for the Lunar New Year this year’s faced long delays at this the busiest time of the year. 

Thousands of expectant travellers packed Guangzhou station, they were mostly migrant workers trying to get home for the traditional New Year’s Eve supper with their families. Many of them had waited for days for trains which did not arrive.

Outside filling the streets around the station, were tens of thousands more being held back by officials.

By the time I arrived at Guangzhou many of them had already waited for days in the snow and rain to gain access.

At first the soldiers and policemen managed to split the passengers into orderly groups - but there were just too many

. 

Everytime a train departed and the gates of the station were opened, everyone just made a dash for it with their luggage and for anyone in their way, like me, it was a terrifying experience.

Family unity is a very precious thing and it is perfectly understandable that anyone who had been working far away should want to get home for this auspicious occasion. 

For many of them, getting there was a cold, exhausting and risky business.

I hope yours will be a happy one requiring far less discomfort - ”Kung Hey Fat Choi.”