Expect More Traffic, More Road Closures Sep 30-Oct 1
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After weeks of the drills, the real thing is finally here! Unfortunately, you probably won't be attending this year's parade (although you can watch it on TV), but if you have been trying to get around the city the past couple of weekends, you will probably know that the central parts of the city were closed to all vehicles, and the same goes for this Monday and Tuesday: from the afternoon of Sep 30 until festivities wrap up on Oct 1, many roads will be off-limits.
If you're trying to hightail it out of Beijing by car for the holiday, you should also note that traffic is going to be hectic. Congestion is expected to peak on Sep 30, then decline until Oct 3. After that, it should pick back up again due to returning travelers.
For those staying in Beijing for the holiday, note that even after the parade is over, several side roads around the Tiananmen area will be closed Oct 1 to Oct 7, including:
Tiananmen Guangchang Dongce Lu 天安门广场东侧路
Tiananmen Guangchang Xice Lu 天安门广场西侧路
Renmin Dahuitang Nance Lu 人民大会堂南侧路
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In the Xiangshan area, Nanxingfucun Lu will also be closed from Hongfeng Lu to Xiangshan Nanlu during that same time period, daily from 8am to 7pm.
Road closures will largely follow the same schedule as the past two weekends.
Read means no-go from Sep 30 until festivities end on Oct 1. Click for larger version.
Beginning Monday, Sep 30, parking will be prohibited on most major roads north of Qianmen Donglu 前门东路 and south of Dongsixi Dajie 东四西大街 within the East and West Second Ring Road, as well as on Gongti Donglu 工体东路, Jianguomenwai Dajie 建国门外大街, and the roads that run from the Agricultural Exhibition Center 农业展览馆 (nóngyè zhǎnlǎn guǎn) to Pinganlixi Dajie 平安里西大街 (including Gongti Beilu 工体北路, Dongsishitiao 东四十条, and Di'anmendong Dajie 地安门大街).
By 4pm on Monday, most major roads north of Qianmen Donglu 前门东路 and south of Dongsixi Dajie 东四西大街 within the East and West Second Ring Road will be closed, as will Gongti Donglu 工体东路. Closures will run until the end of the parade activities on the evening of Oct 1.
If you really, really, really need to get anywhere close to the parade (because you live around there, or you're having a baby at a nearby hospital), here is a full Chinese-language description of all the restrictions, which include specific areas 100% restricted for cars, bikes and pedestrians.
Read: Photographer Captures a Sneak Peek of Dazzling Oct 1 Fireworks Display
Images: Tom Arnstein
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