Beijing Holidays

One of the better mailing lists out there for information on travel in China (http://www.datasinica.com) had some interesting info on how the current fixed holiday scheme should be replaced with something more flexible, eg paid holidays. This current year’s attempts at getting out of Beijing have proved desperately futile, as the National holidays have coincided with the Moon Festival itself (it is today in fact), meaning people have an extreme incentive to be somewhere else than at work. All flight, trains etc. being packed and all prices going through the roof.

So what is the point to go? None. Conclusion: stay at home. It saves money. But having to dodge the crowds whilst trying to run in Chaoyang Park was a pain… Seemed like an entire nation of peasants had set up camp (literally, tents and all!) there.

And when it is all over? Lots of useless expensive mooncakes that people will try and resell next year and thousands of tonnes of rubbish that have to be cleaned up. keeps people busy I guess :-~