Travel resumes in frozen China

Posted Tuesday, February 05, 2008, 3:48 PM by Lonely Planet

With central China experiencing its coldest winter in a hundred years, tens of millions of people will be seeing in the Year of the Rat, which starts on February 7th, far from home. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures across much of China have closed roads and railway lines and caused travel chaos. However as of late Tuesday transport is gradually resuming, with railways in the southern Guangdong Province finally back in action. Check the Thorn Tree Forum for more up to date information and warnings from travellers on the ground.

The worst natural disaster to hit China in decades, the severe weather has claimed the lives of at least 60 people and cost the economy 54 billion Yuan (US$7.4 billion). The timing could not be worse, with hundreds of millions of people preparing to travel home this week to spend the Spring Festival holiday, which marks Chinese New Year, with their families.

- David Eimer

Labels: Asia and Pacific

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