China's 40-day Spring travel rush begins

China's 40-day Spring travel season has officially begun.

Authorities expect 9.5 billion passenger trips across the country -- the number poised to mark a record high.

Many travellers are choosing to set off earlier to avoid peak congestion -- either returning to their hometowns or heading out on holiday in advance.

Thronging Beijing West Railway Station early in the morning were crowds of luggage-hauling travellers.

Many queued at the gates to enter the station.

This traveller from Gansu says he's going back to his hometown for the Lunar New Year, and heading back after the holidays.

Others were departing the capital for leisure travel.

This woman says she was taking advantage of her child's school break to travel for 15 days.

During the Spring Festival travel rush, railway passenger volume is expected to reach 540 million trips.

China Railway has rolled out a raft of measures to ease pressure, including additional services.

The railway group spokesperson says there are around 1,000 additional overnight high-speed rail trains nationwide.

Tickets for these extra services will be up for grabs five days before departure.

Capacity will be allocated flexibly along routes to meet both long- and short-haul travel needs.

High-speed rail services are also offering luggage consignment to accommodate passengers travelling with more baggage.

Also packed with travellers was Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.

Adding to the festive cheer, security staff dressed in traditional Hanfu costumes with ethnic dance performances staged.

This Guangzhou resident says she booked her flight well in advance and she's bringing her elderly relatives and children to Beijing for sightseeing.

This woman from Chengdu says airfares were generally reasonable noting that prices rise the later tickets are purchased.

This year's Spring Festival air passenger traffic is expected to reach 95 million trips, which would be a record high, with airlines handling nearly 20,000 flights per day on average.