A Better Way to put 春運 in English

In mass media's lingo, Spring (Festival) Travel means 春運. This translation is far from perfect because it is far from accurate. It sounds a little too much like the name of a travel agency. To a less sophisticated audience, it might even sound like an Expedia commercial. After all, China has recently reopened to the world despite a big-time return of COVID. You bet Beijing is offering us more than a few thrilling tourist attractions. 

Seriously, 春運 is nothing short of a mad dash to one's home town or village while the Spring Festival is around the corner. It is an incredibly big deal for a Mainlander whose family fortune is practically at stake. Still wonder why the rush?

Yup. Rush is the word. 春運 is Spring (Festival) Rush. It is a gold rush in reverse, meaning that folks are rushing cash and valuables back home. 

Home sweet home. 

 

Author: Ren Qiulan