China’s golden week holiday: a welcome getaway for some, coronavirus anxiety for others
- Roads and public transport will be at capacity as 600 million trips are made across the country over the eight-day break
- Some Chinese welcome the chance to travel to see family or take a vacation but others say they prefer not to risk Covid-19 by staying close to home
There are likely to be about 600 million trips made across the nation during the eight-day break starting from Thursday, according to a report released by online travel service provider Trip, as people travel for leisure or to reunite with family after being largely cooped up by social distancing measures since last winter.
“I don’t want to waste the longest holiday this year,” said Zhou Wen, a 31-year-old cartoon artist from Beijing. “Health experts have warned of a coronavirus resurgence this winter. So I have to seize the chance now to visit my parents in my hometown whom I haven’t seen for nine months.”
The total number of domestic flights taken during the holiday period is expected to exceed 15 million, a 10 per cent increase on last year, according to online travel booking website Qunar, noting that demand was boosted by many mainland travellers taking domestic trips who would have otherwise have gone overseas.