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Rachel Blundy

Millions of Chinese migrant have begun the long journey home for Lunar New Year celebrations early as the country faces a slowing economy.
Hordes of travellers were seen boarding trains in Beijing almost two weeks ahead of the public holiday on February 8. 

Many factory workers have been told to go home after companies suffered a drop in orders and production.
China is also on the cusp of a long-term trend of reverse migration back to the countryside.
The migrant population dropped by 5.68 million in 2015 -- its first decline in about three decades.
Sociologists have found that migrants also have non-economic motives for moving home.
READ MORE: Bittersweet Chinese Lunar New Year holiday: migrant workers sent home early as factories struggle with economic downturn

Many head back to the countryside to look after their ageing parents, while some simply seek organic food.

Commenting on the trend, Yang Tuan, a prominent sociologist at the China Academy of Social Science, said: “The migrant workers are rooted in the countryside.



“They have feelings for the land.”
She predicted that reverse migration might peak in the next five to 10 years.


Additional reporting by Bloomberg


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China’s Great Escape in pictures: millions of migrants head home early ahead of Lunar New Year 

epa05122036 Chinese passengers carry their luggages on the platform at the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122111 A view shows Chinese passengers sit inside a carriage at the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122038 Chinese passengers carry their luggages on the platform at the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122034 A girl reacts as a woman helps to tie up her hair in the waiting room of the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122000 A Chinese boy plays with a luggage bag as passengers wait in a train station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG

epa05122029 Chinese passengers wait in the waiting room of the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122024 A migrant worker carries his luggages outside the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122031 Chinese passengers carry their luggages on the platform at the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epaselect epa05122025 A view shows Chinese passengers sit inside a carriage at the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

epa05122071 Chinese passengers walk at the Beijing Railway Station on the first day of 'Chunyun' or the annual spring migration in Beijing city, China, 24 January 2016. China starts the official spring travel peak on 24 January as tens of millions of passengers go on the move in the world's largest seasonal migration. The country's transportation system will carry a record number of passengers during the annual migration as migrant workers and students return to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year beginning on 08 February. EPA/WU HONG

Chinese passengers carry their bags towards the platform at Beijing railway station on the first day of Chunyun. Photo: EPA

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Hordes of travellers seen boarding trains in Beijing almost two weeks ahead of the public holiday, with many factory workers sent home early from factories closing due to economy’s downturn
