Pictures

Migrant Workers Riding Motorcycles Home for Spring Festival

by on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 40 comments comments

An "army" of migrant workers riding motorcycles to get to their hometowns and be reunited with family to celebrate Chinese New Year and Spring Festival.

From Mop:

Chun Yun: Army of motorcycles heading home

As factories around the country successively go on holiday for Spring Festival [aka Chinese New Year], group after group of migrant workers are adopting riding motorcycles to go home for the holidays. With the people in the Pearl River Delta region using motorcycles to go home each year numbering over 100,000, the various motorcycle armies around the country have become a special scenic sight on the road during Spring Festival.

[Above] January 11th, a “motorcycle army” heading home from the Pearl River Delta region passing through a Spring Festival service stop in Fengkai county of Guangdong province.

An "army" of migrant workers riding motorcycles to get to their hometowns and be reunited with family to celebrate Chinese New Year and Spring Festival.

January 11th, a “motorcycle army” heading home from the Pearl River Delta region passing Fengkai county of Guangdong province.

Chinese migrant workers riding motorcycles through cold winter weather back to their hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Chinese migrant workers riding motorcycles through cold winter weather back to their hometowns to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Chinese migrant workers riding motorcycles through cold winter weather back to their hometowns to celebrate Spring Festival.

Chinese migrant workers riding motorcycles through cold winter weather back to their hometowns to celebrate Spring Festival.

A wife helps button up her husband as both make their way back to their hometowns on motorcycles to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families.

Some of the belongings carried by migrant workers riding motorcycles to get back to their hometowns for the Spring Festival holiday.

Traffic police in China directing the "armies" of migrant workers riding motorcycles to return to their hometowns for the Spring Festival holiday.

A migrant worker family on the roadside taking a break during their long motorcycle journey home for the Chinese New Year holiday.

A Chinese migrant worker riding a motorcycle heading back to his hometown to celebrate Spring Festival.

A Chinese family of three riding a motorcycle braving the winter weather to go back to their hometown for the Chinese New Year holiday.

Comments from Mop:

抽出来插进去:

Traffic police? He wouldn’t dare to stop them, lest there not even being an intact body left. With 100,000 people, just the piss from each one of them would drown him.

不文不文:

Hope our migrant worker friend will ride carefully and be able to return home safely, and have a reunited new year.

南山之后:

Every year the same. Brothers, have a safe journey.

三民主义照耀中华:

How come no one does anything about those vehicles without license plates? If they are being let go simply because it is Chinese New Year, then how are still supposed to build a country with rule of law? Might as well just throw the rules to the side and let people do whatever they want.

翻了yu的船:

Have a safe journey. People who couldn’t get train tickets can’t be handled.

寂寞寻求共鸣:

A sharp contrast with the China’s government officials. China’s government officials all have cars waiting on them to take them here or there. Such are their special privileges.

dasegg:

Seeing this I can only feel heartbroken and moved. And is Chun Yun fucking always going to be something we have to figure out ourselves? Then what we do need you guys [government officials] for?

唐泰宗:

Yesterday CCTV also reported on this, saying the traffic police are escorting and clearing the road for them, green lights all the way. Throughout, there are also rest stops providing hot water, instant noodles, and repair service. China’s PL [police] at any rate have done a meaningful thing, it’s just the poor people. If one had money, who would want to endure the elements and ride a motorcycle all the way home?

林之南:

A sight with Chinese characteristics: helplessness, perseverance, warmth, moving…

What is the longest or most difficult trip you have taken to spend the holidays with family or a loved one?

  • mr. weiner

    sofa on two wheels

    • coala banana

      just banged your sister on that sofa. Take care when you sit on it, we might have left some sport stains if you know what i mean. Oh yeah, and tell her that i will give her the change the next time i book her for her “services”.

      • Just John

        He doesn’t have a sister, but does have a brother who sometimes likes to wear women’s clothes and go to the drag bars….

        So I guess we know the truth now about you and the “open cave”…

        • mr. weiner

          Actually I do have a sister. I’m 6’2 and the runt of the litter. My sister is a shade under 6′ and much bigger in the body than me. [hard to gain weight in asian, Rugby and BJJ helps] .The idea of some short-arse Euro-snob trying to bang her puts me in mind of a yorky trying to hump the leg of a rottwieler. I recon she’d rip him a new cave.

          • Just John

            Sigh, should have played along. I think it might have been more entertaining.

          • coala banana

            yes whiner, you should have played along with JJ, so we could have a bit fun. But that might be a hard thing to do for you..I mean to have a clear mind while a dildo is vibrating in your ass ?

          • donscarletti

            Nice one, the own “call your own sister fat until the other guy gets confused” routine. Ever punched yourself in the face during a barfight?

        • coala banana

          what happens in the cave stays in the cave, thats all i have to say, and thats also what i told your mom after i saw that she was worried that i could release some details about what she did. BUT the ONE thing i can say with confidence, is that she literally took it like a true champion ! Every son can be proud to have such a mom, which really put the effort into it.

          • whichone

            Wow, your don’t speak like Yoda anymore

          • mr. weiner

            Zinnng!…..oh he got me again. Damn you Europeans are classy and witty. What country are you from exactly CB?

      • Barry Halls

        I gotta take a break from ChinaSMACK when morons like coala banana are prominent posters.

  • mr. weiner

    ….and a safe and happy new year to all.

  • Choonage

    These people just need more job opportunities closer to home, but the local officials are too busy lining their own pockets to care.

  • Jay K.

    fuck i had the same helmet as that migrant worker. mine was yellow and exactly the same design! cost me i think 110rmb from taobao… it was better than nothing, but shit straight out of the factory that thing had to be aired out for 10 days and i could still smell the damn chemicals.

    so if you saw a guy with a yellow helmet suntin on his R9 in beijing that was me!

    • coala banana

      just a quick question, maybe you can help. Do you know why no one in china seems to drive a real motorbike, just this low ccm bikes ? what are they ? 50, 125s ? i would like to import a japanese one ( a 750 or 1100) for myself, but no one can give me an answer. One guy at the police mentioned that higher ccm bike as the police have are not allowed, cause they are afraid the criminals would buy them and be faster then them ?

      • donscarletti

        Don’t bother, China is the land where a motorbike won’t get you laid and musicians sing mournful ballads about not getting as much sex as engineers.

        If you do feel you need one, get a BMW. They are actually very good bikes, they are about the same price as a similar Honda, people will be more likely to help you since it’s not Japanese and the skanks you chase will assume that it cost way more than it really did.

        • coala banana

          got a Harley FatBoy in europe, but i better keep it there. You brought up some good points, never thought about it, but you are right, a japanese bike could cause some trouble. I am 6 years in china and still have no idea why no one has a real motorbike. Somehow i have the feeling that the policemen was right, they might be restricted from import into china due to the higher ccm’s then the police bikes. China law, they are never clear, they don’t say yes, but they also don’t say no, and once things arrive the trouble starts with customs. The same people which didn’t give you a clear answer, will suddenly find many reasons why they can’t let you import it. I know there are Yamaha and Kawasaki dealers in HK, will talk with them next time i am there. I have here on the estate where i live a quad bike which i bought from a corrupted officer, but i can’t register it, cause they don’t know what it is:-), so i just drive it around the estate, from my house to the golf club and back.

      • hanyucha

        They are forbidden within the city limits of most big cities. If you go out to the countryside you will find them.

      • Tom12GA

        I would say that 98% of the bikes that I’ve seen in Guangdong province are 125cc. The biggest bike I’ve seen in person is a 400cc and the biggest for sale in my town’s dealership was 250cc.

        I was told that bikes that are bigger than 150cc are not allowed in the town/Central Business District (CBD). Also, it seems that the smaller bikes are not supposed to be allowed on their tollway (pay highway) system.

  • coala banana

    it always scares the hell out of me when i see how they sit on this piece of shit motorbikes with their children. What a torture for that small kid, squeezes between his mom and the driver out in the cold and rain for hours and hours, just so they can fucking celebrate their new year. Wouldn’t it be easier to stay where they are with their kids and let their parents come ? I am sure there is less traffic from the countryside to the city at that time. Dumb asses.

    On the other side 3 on a bike in china is still ok, the most i have seen was a couple with 2 kids +a baby…scary.

    • Cardaver

      Most people I ever saw on a motorbike was five, here in China, in the downtown part of a really small city

      The very last dude had absolutely nothing to sit on, he was basically holding on to the two guys in front of him with his arms and legs wrapped around them like a koala bear on a tree

      • Appalled@everything

        I saw a Chinese man riding a scooter with one hand once, his free hand was used to hold a baby over his shoulder. Picture that one.
        Neither was wearing a helmet of course and the reason I noticed them was because he was riding through a red light in downtown Shanghai in front of traffic.

        I will never forget that one.

        Speaking of helmets, looking at these photos, I never saw that many Chinese wearing helmets in all my life. And absolutely never have I seen a child wearing a helmet here.
        I have seen the driver wear one, his wife wear one, and the baby not wear one though. Wonders never cease.

    • mankouzanghua

      “Wouldn’t it be easier to stay where they are with their kids and let their parents come ? I am sure there is less traffic from the countryside to the city at that time. Dumb asses.”

      there is no way you have lived in china for 6 years and know this little about chinese people. it’s not only their parents these people are going to see. it’s siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins — and then each of these people who comes over to see them are also going to have other people they will visit and eat with over new years on different days.

      fuck it, i say the entire village should just come into the city and camp out under a highway overpass! that would avoid this damn chunyun, right? why must they be such dumb asses, when right here on chinaSMACK we have people every year who can, with hardly any thinking at all, solve these transportation issues.

  • 山炮 ShanPao

    Same story and same photos from the same rag… last year.

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  • typingfromwork

    Looks like a scene from The Grapes of Wrath. Godspeed to them all.

    Incidentally is there a Chinese centric version of The Grapes of Wrath for modern times? If there isn’t, they should write one.

    • kay

      only if the gov comissions one.

      • typingfromwork

        It will have rainbows on every page and everyone gets rescued by the nice man from the propaganda department. On every page.

  • Foreign Devil

    In their shoes I would MUCH rather be on a motorcycle in the rain than deal with the budget trains on Spring Festival. They are smart.

  • http://www.dontai.com/wp/ Don Tai

    Ride safe to all…

  • 平凡人

    Train tickets and are scarce, bus ticket (legitimate ones) are not that cheap and may not be available. Air tickets are too costly for a average income family.
    Wishing all those on the road, safe trip and happy reunion.

  • Dave in Macau

    Glad to see everyone has a decent helmet.

    Here in Macau the motorcyclists all wear thin plastic caps with chin straps. Then they wonder why people die so easily during accidents…..

  • DRaY

    I wonder how many people are dying per day on these bikes?

  • Peye

    Chinese People : A lesson of willpower and endurance. May they find happiness and a meaningful life. Have a safe ride home and a safe return.

  • Bunny99

    It is a tradition now, this motorcycle convoy – it is very moving to see their determination and solidarity, and the understanding and help the police give them.

    I hope they all get home safe and get a warm welcome when they arrive.

  • http://www.matthewsawtell.com Matthew A. Sawtell

    Hm… wondering if any of them had this playing on their MP3 players during the trip:

    Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGLBy2CdjI&feature=fvwrel

    But knowing the cops (like any cop seeing that many bikers in ANY country) in P.R. China – the theme in their head is somewhere between…

    Johnny Cash – God Will Cut Your Down…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em5nyoKS6RA&feature=related

    … and Megadeth – Moto Psycho

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4oXmwQrs7Q

  • http://misslaowaichina.org Apple

    We are looking for beautiful and talented foreign ladies in China to take part in the Miss Laowai 2012!

    In cooperation with The International Friendship Association and the Foreign Embassies in Beijing, this year we focus manly on Charity, Talent promotion and cultural exchange.
    Giving back to the community we live in, show case your talent and be discovered and be an Ambassador through representing your country’s rich culture and make friends.

    We have made it to be more of a social activity through using your talent and helping out the needy in our society.

    Online applications forms http://www.misslaowaichina.org/2011-application.html

    Mei Lang Feng Theatre – Thursday, September 20, 2012

    • mr. wiener

      Sounds like a white slavery scam. [or laowai girly sex slave thing for the more politically correct]

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  • Dr SUN

    How the real Chinese live their lives compared to how the Govt running dogs and their free cars, houses and children overseas , pretty sad state of affairs .

    Every day the govt dogs make us loose face, TMD

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