Get ready: 700 million to travel domestically during Golden Week

Photograph: Helen Roxburgh (Hongqiao Railway Station)

Golden Week, the annual weeklong holiday for China's National Day – synonymous with rest, relaxation and record-breaking numbers of travellers – is dawning upon us (from October 1-7). As usual, the numbers of travellers and money spent on travelling are insane, to the point where Asia as a whole, if not the entire world, must prepare for a tourism rush during Golden Week. Here's the breakdown...

First of all, international travel: an estimated 7 million Chinese nationals will travel outside of China for the holiday, according to Shanghai Observer. Japan has become the top travel destination for Chinese tourists for the first time, while visits to contending vacation favourite, South Korea, has recovered slightly from its drop last year. Thailand, coming in at the second-most booked, retains popularity despite this summer's boat disaster near Phuket island that resulted in the death of 47 Chinese nationals and a drop in tourism from China, as stated in SCMP. Taking all that into account, it's estimated that 250 million RMB will be spent online on flight costs according to SHINE.

via Giphy

Domestically, Yunnan and Hainan, along with Xinjiang and Gansu province, are on track to be popular destinations. And, based on statistics from previous years, it's predicted that the number of domestic travellers will surpass 700 million as stated in People.

In an effort of much-needed prior planning, over 70 new rail services have been added for the holiday period (including Mid-Autumn) according to CNR and on October 1 alone (peak travel time), it's predicted that 3 million passengers will use trains.

On the highways, tolls have again been suspended from October 1 through 7. While helping the masses reunite with their families for the festivities, this altruistic decision has in the past led to massive country-wide congestion. We might see repeated scenes of previous years, as peak travel days in the beginning and end of the holiday transform major motorways into massive parking lots.

As everyone flees the city, SHINE cites that residents of Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing are most likely to travel during the break. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with sticking around in Shanghai. Keep an eye on our account this weekend for our roundup of the best things to do in town over Golden Week.

Additional research: Yu Zhiming

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