China expects 3.6bn Lunar New Year trips CHINESE officials say they are expecting citizens to make 3.6 billion trips during the Chinese New Year travel period that starts on Thursday. The holiday is the most important one in China and represents the world's largest seasonal migration of people as families reunite. The Year of the Horse starts on January 31. The Spring Festival transportation period lasts 40 days from January 16. Lian Weiliang, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, says they expect 200 million more journeys than in 2013. Lian also told a news conference on Tuesday snow and bad weather could hamper the mass migration.