The start of China's post-Spring Festival travel peak proved a relatively smooth affair as no major traffic problems were reported on Tuesday at a time when millions were returning to their place of work.

The situation was in stark contrast prior to the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year starting on February 7 when millions of people trying to get home were stranded at railway stations, airports and on the roads after heavy snow and icy rain hit the country's south.

The Ministry of Railways said snow and ice storms in south China had prolonged this year's post-Spring Festival travel peak, which may last to Saturday. Another travel peak is expected on February 21 as most migrant workers will return to work after the Lantern Festival.

Post-Spring Festival railway traffic peak saw more than 5 million passengers on the last day of last year's holiday and more were expected this year, a Ministry of Railways spokesperson said on Monday.

More than 700 additional trains were thrown into operation by the Ministry of Railways to cope with the peak of railway traffic on Tuesday.

The travel rush is also seen on the roads, with 53.28 million journeys expected to be made on Tuesday. All the roads linking different provinces have resumed traffic and there is no vehicles stranded on the national artery linking Beijing and Zhuhai City of Guangdong, which was paralyzed by the snow before the holiday.