The wild winter weather has also wreaked havoc on air travel. Shanghai's Hongqiao and Pudong International airports delayed 250 flights as of Wednesday. In Anhui Province, Hefei Airport was closed, leaving thousands stranded at the airport.

In Shandong's provincial capital, Jinan, many passengers have opted for trains to return home. The Jinan Railway Department has increased train services to ease congestion.

Cao Dafan, Station Master of Jinan Railway Station, said, "We added eight temporary trains from Jinan Station within two hours this morning. This will accommodate 10-thousand people returning home."

Rail passenger flow is expected to ease after Friday. Railway departments have encouraged passengers to book return tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Meanwhile, eight round flights from Jinmen Island to Taiwan have been cancelled because of heavy fog. Spring Festival Transportation between the two islands kicked off on Wednesday. But the heavy fog has led to 80 percent of the flights being cancelled, leaving more than a thousand passengers stranded.