After severe snow, China's trains start to roll

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Few dressed for weather
Most of the workers also showed up in Guangzhou dressed for the normal moderate weather in the province, which shares the same latitude as Florida. But a cold snap began gripping Guangzhou this week, and the temperature has been dipping down to 39 Fahrenheit.

Only a few of the workers had parkas or coats, and most endured the chilly rainy weather with cheap polyester blend sweaters covered with light jackets or tattered blazers. They sloshed around in canvas sneakers or flimsy leather dress shoes.

Mixed in with the blue-collar masses were young professionals, who could easily be spotted with their trendy glasses and new clothes. They didn't seem to be as hardy as the workers.

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Cheng Xia, 28, a graphic designer, said he went to Guangzhou's station the night before and began waiting but gave up his spot in line and went home. He said he swapped his large suitcase for a small carry-on bag so he could navigate his way through the crowd better. He also packed a tote bag full of snacks and a roll of toilet paper for the trip back home to the western province of Sichuan.

"The weather is still bad," he said. "Once I get on a train, who knows how long I'll be on it? We could get stuck for three or four days."