BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- After ten minutes of pushing and shoving, Li Shilong finally squeezed his way into the train heading north to the Chinese capital.

　　Getting on board was only half the battle. He had to stand there, sandwiched between other passengers, for the four-hour journey.

　　"It's torture. I hate doing this every year," said Li, a 24-year-old young man from Xingtai City of north China's Hebei Province. He works for the Beijing-based Shougang Group, a large steel maker.

　　As the week-long Spring Festival holiday, which celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year, ended on Saturday, millions of people scrambled for a spot on train, with or without a seat.

　　It's almost a mission impossible for the Ministry of Railways, which is responsible for carrying the vast bulk of people migrating across the country.

　　Nearly 60 million people were expected to travel around on Saturday alone, according to the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Railways. Train travel is the first option for many people, especially those faced with a long journey.

　　Statistics from south China's Guangdong Province proved that traveling by train is much safer than by road. The province's Public Security Bureau reported there have been 5,300 road accidents since Feb. 3, which killed 343 people and injured 4,300 others.

　　Despite the obvious hazards, Shang Hongliang, a university student in Beijing from Huangsi Village of Xingtai, never hesitates to make the arduous journey home for the celebrations.

　　"I like having dinner and watching the annual television gala on New Year's Eve together with my family. We always have a laugh at the comedy skits," Shang said.

　　The annual gala hosted by China Central Television has been a highlight of various festivities since 1983. While many viewers complain about some performances, it remains a must-watch program that is talked about for days. One estimate puts the number of people who watch the show at more than two billion.

　　The four-hour show ends with a countdown to the stroke of midnight, in the company of loud and frenzied explosion of fireworks.

　　Tradition has it that setting off fireworks will scare off the bad spirits from the old year, allowing the new year to start afresh.

　　After a 12-year ban, this year is the second when Beijing residents are allowed to set off fireworks in the downtown areas on the eve of the Lunar New Year and ensuing 15 days.

　　"Fireworks have been going together with the Chinese Lunar New Year for thousands of years and they have deeply rooted in my happiest childhood memories," said Shang.

　　The Chinese government has made efforts to ensure a safe and joyous Spring Festival for the people.

　　The Ministry of Railways announced in January that railway ticket prices would cease to be raised during the 40-day travel season between Feb. 3 and March 14, and the price hike policy would be scrapped once and for all.

　　The National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Communications also ordered local authorities against imposing ticket price hikes during the travel period.

　　The Ministry of Agriculture launched an overhaul of agricultural products in dozens of cities before the festival to ensure food safety. Local governments in Beijing, Shandong, Anhui, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing and other areas required employers to pay due wages to their employees.

　　While the Chinese passionately pursue fun together with family members, the country's leaders were seen to stay with ordinary people for the national holiday.

　　Neither President Hu Jintao nor Premier Wen Jiabao were at home in the Zhongnanhai compound in downtown Beijing. For the fourth year in a row they visited poor villages and communities.

　　"I don't think Hu and Wen are playing politics. I think they're showing that they sincerely care about the country's poor people," Li Shilong said.

　　Speaking of the expectations for the new year, he said, "I only wish I could buy a 'seat ticket' without difficulties, so that I can really enjoy the Spring Festival in an easy and joyous mood."