One family's journey reflects changes in travel during Spring Festival

"We used to worry about the kids getting cold on the motorcycle, but now we have the electric car with air conditioning. Besides, we can recharge the car, and even take the elderly on trips with us," Feng said.

Feng's journey of driving a vehicle back home reflects a profound change in the way people travel during the Spring Festival rush, considered one of the largest migrations across the country.

In recent years, the number of people returning home by motorcycle during the travel rush has been decreasing, expected to drop to around 10,000 by 2026, reaching a historical low, according to China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec.

"In the past, traveling was more like going to battle. Now, we can recharge and rest along the way, enjoy free car wash services, and have the convenience of driving anywhere we want," Feng said.