China forecasts 14% drop in travelers during Lunar New Year

BEJING/SHANGHAI -- The Chinese New Year travel rush, known as "Chunyun," started on Friday, with the government projecting a 14% decrease from the year before in the number of people using public transportation for returning home or going on trips.

On Friday, Shanghai Hongqiao station was filled with homeward-bound passengers, and tourists with big suitcases. "I will spend a month at my home in Anhui province," said a 30-year-old worker in Shanghai. "I'm looking forward to meeting my family and friends."