These are the sleek and speedy bullet trains that will be transporting almost 400million Chinese people home during the largest annual human migration in the world.

China kicked off the travel rush known as 'chunyun' during the 40-day Spring Festival period on February 1.

During this time, Chinese people travel home to celebrate the Lunar New Year – which falls on February 16 and 17 this year - with their families.

Around 2.98billion trips are expected to be made by train, bus and air between February 1 and March 12, according to China Central Television Station.

Buses are the most common form of transport – with eight in 10 taking a coach home this year – but the numbers are expected to fall for the first time as China’s high-speed rail network expands, authorities said.

More people have switched to using China Railway High-speed (CRH) trains – which reach speeds of 220mph – and planes to get home, the Ministry of Transport said.

The Chinese rail authority is expecting 390 million passengers this year during the travel period, an 8.8 per cent increase on last year

To cope with the extra demand, an extra 177 high-speed train services will be available during the travel period to carry an additional 100,000 passengers each day.