Heavy snow in southern China has left thousands of railway passengers stranded as they head home for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Chinese state media says more than 150,000 people were stuck Sunday at the Guangzhou railway station, which is the southern end of a key railway link to the capital Beijing.

Authorities say they expect the number of stranded to rise as high as 600,000 by Monday.

Railway officials say it is not immediately clear when service will be restored.

Chinese media say several major highways and airports have also been closed as a result of the heavy snows and freezing rains.

The Lunar New Year is one of the the most important holidays in China, with millions of people traveling annually for family gatherings.  The holiday falls this year on February seventh.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.