In photos: People in front of the train ticket office

The 40-day spring travel rush starting on Jan. 16 and ending on Feb. 24 will transport 3.6 billion passengers this year, 200 million more than last year, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. It is estimated that about 5.04 million passengers will take trains in Beijing West Railway Station during the Spring Festival travel rush.

The various ways of booking tickets online or over the phone have eased the pressure of the ticket offices at the railway stations this year.