Festival reunions too costly for young people

The cost of returning home for the Spring Festival has become such a burden for young workers that many are choosing not to make the trip.

"The high costs of the Spring Festival are a real financial burden for me," Song Pingyang, who works in Chongqing, said during an interview with Chongqing Evening News.

Due to the economic recession, Song has not made a lot of money recently, with his monthly salary dropping from 5,000 yuan ($732) to 3,000 yuan, squeezing his already tight budget. But according to local tradition, Song has to distribute gift money to children and old people in his big family.