The 2018 Spring Festival falls on Feb 16. Hundreds of millions of Chinese are heading home in a travel rush that empties the cities and sends airports into a frenzy.

For China, the festival is as important as Christmas in the West.

During the holiday, traditional Chinese activities are taking place across the globe, such as paper cutting and lion dances. The way people celebrate differs between regions and families, and modern life is having an impact.

As families gather to usher in the Chinese New Year, Spring Festival is a time to make a wish.

CGTN took to the streets of Beijing and asked locals about their understanding and memories of Spring Festival, as well as their hopes for the next year.