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China's Lunar New Year getaway begins as millions head home Lunar New Year celebrations begin in China and across Asia
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of millions of people in China are making their annual journey home to celebrate the Lunar New Year, in what is considered the world's biggest annual human migration. Countries across Asia are beginning Lunar New Year celebrations to welcome in the year of the sheep.
About three billion passenger trips will be made over the 40-day travel period, reported Xinhua news agency. In China, hundreds of millions of people are travelling home in what is considered the world's biggest annual human migration.
China celebrates with an extended public holiday known as Golden Week that officially ends on 24 February. State media says about three billion passenger trips will be made by plane, train and car over the 40-day period.
But many people continue to travel before and after the holiday. It is a public holiday in many places with ethnic Chinese populations such as Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.
Also known as the Spring Festival, it kicks off with a large meal, known as the reunion dinner, on Wednesday, New Year's Eve. The festival is known as Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in South Korea, and is traditionally a time to be with family.
Families are then expected to visit relatives' homes.
The festival is also celebrated in other places with ethnic Chinese populations, such as Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated in Vietnam, where it is called Tet, and South Korea where it is known as Seollal.