Editor's Note:
As China’s 2019 Spring Festival travel rush, also known as "Chunyun," began January 17, the first group of festival trains departed from Shanghai Station in East China. The annual rush puts China’s transport system to the test as hundreds of millions of people return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Photos: Yang Hui/GT
Passengers have their tickets checked at the Shanghai Railway Station on January 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
Passengers walk to board their train at the Shanghai Railway Station on January 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
Passengers rush to get their tickets checked at the Shanghai Railway Station on January 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
A child inside a train carriage waves goodbye to his parents at the Shanghai Railway Station on January 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
Passengers wait to board the trains at Shanghai railway station Jan 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
A passenger eats instant noodles as he waits for his train at Shanghai railway station Jan 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
A boy smiles at the camera as he waits to board the train with his families at Shanghai railway station Jan 17, 2019. Photo: Yang Hui/GT 
Passengers pose for the camera on a train on departure at Shanghai railway station Jan 17, 2018. Photo: Yang Hui/GT
