HAINING, China (Reuters)-a luggage trolley that converts into a seat and a pole with pads that props up the sleepy passengers are only a few intrepid Chinese gadgets have devised to help make their new year's annual House of train travel a little more comfortable.
About 200 million people in China are expected to take trains home for new year's holidays at the weekend in what was described as the largest annual migration in the world.
Some opt for standing-only tickets on trains packed to save on trips that can last for three days.
This year, Chinese microblog were abuzz with gadgets and inventions that could help make travel a little easier exhausting.
One of the most talked-about is the "Hard Seat", a metal pole with attached pads that is intended to shore up a sleepy traveler and ensure that he or she does not fall out of their seats when they nod off. But not everyone is a fan.
"It is a burden to carry," said Li Kang, a migrant worker from Southwest Guizhou province, who tried out. "When I lean on it, my body feels suspended."
Former physics teacher and avid amateur inventor Zhou agreed. Invented the "Grass Roots treasure trip" – a truck with what looks like a broomstick metallica sticking out of it that converts into a seat.
It also has support for Zhou insists that bottles can be filled with powdered sodium percarbonate and water to make oxygen-a breath of fresh air to anyone suffering sweltering train carriage, smoky.
The 67-year-old Zhou has such faith in his gadgets he plans to test himself on a train journey to 31 hours.
"I could have bought a ticket for a sleeper but I really wanted to try this so I can see what doesn't work and improve it," Zhou said at his home in a small town near Shanghai before leaving.
There are a lot of other ideas out there.
A user of Sina Weibo microblog site suggested taking along a rubber chicken squawking do other passengers get out of the way in crowded corridors.
Another recommended adult diapers.
But the most popular accessory remains a simple plastic bucket, which can be turned over and used as a home, or for other purposes.
(Reporting by Jane Lanhee Lee, Elaine is writing; editing by)
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