Gaokao Traffic & Which Streets to Avoid

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Have you noticed something different today? Maybe there’s more traffic, maybe your calls keep failing, maybe it’s quieter in Beijing than ever before. Well, it’s gaokao season!

Gaokao, the national Chinese college entrance exam, is regarded as one of the most rigorous tests in the world. It occurs annually in early June, this year beginning on Wednesday June 7 and ending on Saturday June 10.

Gaokao results determine the caliber of universities students are admitted to, with top colleges being exceptionally difficult to get into. Extreme measures are taken to prevent distractions for the 12.91 million grade 12 students (980,000 more than 2022) taking the exams.

Of those 12.91 million people, 65,000 are here in Beijing. This means that 65,000 people will be moving around the city on similar schedules. Most jobs also function on similar timetables, which contributes to the widely unpopular concept known as the morning rush hour. The exams will only amplify that problem.

As the gaokao begins and ends each day, traffic will be immense. Many candidates live in the suburbs, so fair warning for commuters from Shunyi!

The tests follow regular school time and end around late afternoon, so 9-5 workers in the city will need to be prepared for longer stretches on the road.

This Thursday afternoon, there will be traffic management on roads around the exam areas, so be prepared with some set detours that can help you avoid delays.

Here are some 

specific addresses 

of major testing centers

If you live, work, or simply pass by these areas, consult your maps each morning and plan your days accordingly!

In addition to controlling traffic, anti-cheating measures designed for students can have an impact on you too.

Telecom companies will be reducing the strength of phone signals close to exam sites to prevent students from searching up or colluding with others to get answers. So, if your calls or data is spotty, double-check your location before assuming the worst.

As the students begin their exams, download some playlists for your commutes, and explore the back roads of Beijing!

Images: Mikechie Esparagoza, Pixabay, Aauyush Srivistava, Joey Guo

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