Two primary school students in Northeast China who ran away from their homes with 3,000 yuan ($481) that they received as gifts during the Spring Festival holiday returned home safely, the Shenyang Evening News reported.

An 11-year-old boy and his neighbor, an 8-year-old girl, from Benxi, Liaoning province, were reported missing by the boy's father at 9 am on Monday.

Two hours later, the children were found eating in a KFC near a bus station in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning province, which is a two-hour drive away from their hometown.

The children said they were planning to take a train to East China's Shandong province, where Taishan Mountain is located.

The boy told police that he has been dreaming of visiting Taishan Mountain, one of China's most famous scenic spots, for a long time. After receiving cash as gifts in Spring Festival, they believed they had enough money to travel on their own.

Family members and friends give the younger generation cash sealed in a red envelop - known as hongbao - during the Spring Festival holiday.

The boy told the girl about his plans and as she said that she would like to visit the West Lake in Zhejiang province, the two agreed to travel south together and visit both destinations.

After the incident, the boy's parents promised to take him to Taishan Mountain during this year's summer vacation.