National Day woes: Sirens, Workers Stadium closures and pigeons

Photo: Flickr

Disruptions on Beijing's streets and skies you should know, from sirens to Taobao delays

We're sure you've noticed or heard how the whole city has pretty much ground to a halt in a series of National Day parade rehearsals a fortnight ago. Sadly – it ain't getting any better just yet. As the 70th anniversary of China's National Day approaches, it's no surprise to only expect more disruptions on Beijing's streets and skies in the coming days. What's in it for this week? Here's the latest update you should know in the lead-up to the Oct 1 event.

Workers Stadium closes among other places

Photo: One Third

Rumour has it that another round of military parade rehearsal is to be held before the official event, so expect a full-on repeat of the previous rehearsal weekend, only with more disruptions and closures sneaking up on us in the coming days. If you're thinking about leaving your house to go anywhere, here's a list of businesses and other places affected and due to re-open after Oct 1:

-Workers Stadium has been closed off as well as with all the businesses inside the facility, as confirmed by staff from Oyster Talks’ Gongti outpost. 

-Lantern, Mix, One Third and other mega Gongti night clubs will remain shut until Oct 1 or 2. Check back their respective accounts on WeChat for more updates.

-The Palace Museum has announced a temporary closure from September 21 till Oct 1 according to its official website. 

Brace for an air raid drill this Saturday

Photo: Wikipedia Common

Coinciding with all the parade rehearsals is another major event you should know: Every September an air raid drill is conducted across the capital as part of the country’s National Defence Education Day. This Saturday, those living in the suburbs can skip the weekend snooze, as a series of high-pitched sirens is scheduled to be blared from 10am-10:23am on September 21 in areas outside the Fifth Ring Road. Simulating a response to an air attack, this 23-minute long drill consists of a ‘pre-alarm signal’ with 24-second intervals, and a rapid ‘air raid siren’ that repeats every six seconds, and a three-minute-long ‘all-clear siren’ with no interval in the end.

Expect parcel delays

Photo: Wikipedia Common

For online shoppers, your Taobao orders may not arrive for another two weeks until Oct 1 is over, as the State Post Bureau has announced measures to tighten the postal security. Every parcel en route to Beijing is now being X-ray scanned and individually inspected before reaching your doorstep. Additionally, the delivery for any suspicious-looking and hard-to-identify items, including fake weapons and drones, is ‘strictly prohibited’ until October 2, so you may want to wait after then to place your orders. 

Pigeons, kites and airborne activities banned

Photo: Pixabay

And the latest but surely not the last thing being barred to make way for the 70th celebration is a range of mostly recreational aerial activities, which has been curbed in seven of Beijing's 16 districts until Oct 1. This includes anything from the release of balloons and lanterns, to flying kites and drones, as well as pet birds like pigeons (yes pigeons). The districts of Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, Haidian, Fengtai, Shijingshan and Tongzhou have been named a no-fly zone to ensure flight safety for the military planes that’ll mark the 70th celebration. 

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