It's in its fourth day, and Wednesday is the first day train tickets for Chinese New Year eve, January 22nd, are available for purchase.

The numbers are up almost 10 percent from last year, with a record 3.16 billion passenger trips expected during the 40-day travel rush, through February 16th.

The numbers are up almost 10 percent from last year, with a record 3.16 billion passenger trips expected during the 40-day travel rush, through February 16th. The Ministry of Railways says that China's railways alone will carry 235-million passengers during the period.

Railway authorities have long been under pressure to increase capacity and improve ticketing services, as many people find it extremely difficult to get train tickets. This is the first year customers can book all train tickets online or by phone.