Traditional New Year important in culture

What makes hundreds of millions of Chinese defy the transport crush and head home for the Spring Festival? A family reunion will probably be the answer almost every Chinese would give.

And behind this lies nostalgia for festivities experienced in the past, when the celebrations would feature the company of relatives and friends and home banquets. Convivial chats over drinks and perhaps the playing of mah-jong would often see in the coming year.

Yet, it has become clear that this simple festive spirit is becoming increasingly diluted. Many even worry that the old Spring Festival traditions will no longer be observed when the elder generations in a family pass away.