During China’s Spring Festival travel rush, a series of surname-themed cultural activities have been launched at major transportation hubs in Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong and other regions, drawing crowds of travelers, including many from Taiwan region.
The events, held under the theme “Talking About Family Names, Celebrating the Chinese New Year,” have become a vivid example of growing people-to-people exchanges and shared cultural identity across the Taiwan Strait.
At high-speed railway stations, travelers received surname-themed gift bags, took part in traditional surname tablets rubbings, and watched calligraphers writing personalized Spring Festival couplets and “Fu” characters free of charge. Organizers said the activities aim to promote traditional Chinese culture during the Chinese New Year, while helping travelers reconnect with their family heritage.
At Xiamen Railway Station, a dedicated surname-rubbing experience area attracted many passengers. Visitors were also given surname gift packs, New Year postcards and festive couplets. Among the participants was Hsieh Jui-feng from Kaohsiung, Taiwan region, who was traveling with his wife from the mainland’s Xiamen to Zhangzhou. While waiting for their train, the couple joined the activity and carefully made a rubbing of a postcard bearing their family name.
