Economy

Brace for heavy rush as Golden Week nears end

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-06 09:55

Flights, trains and roads packed with tourists returning home

BEIJING - As the seven-day Golden Week holiday approaches its end, domestic tourists have started heading home, causing a shortage of railway tickets and traffic congestions near major cities.

Railway tickets for almost all long-distance lines from across the country to Shanghai have been sold out, China News Service reported on Tuesday.

Shanghai railway authorities estimated that three railway stations in the city will see soaring passenger flows starting Oct 6 with the peak on Oct 7, the last day of the National Day holiday.

As for flights, discounts more than 20 percent are no longer available for flights linking Shanghai and other major cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou starting from Oct 6, the report said. However, if travelers choose to take the flight on Oct 8 or even later, tickets can be purchased at half the price.

Related readings:  China's railway passenger traffic sets new record  Golden Week Holiday tourism booms  The heart should rule tourism  For National holiday, where to go?

Meanwhile, Beijing's traffic management bureau predicted an increase in the flow of returning tourists starting Wednesday.

"Come tomorrow, those who went on trips in cars will start pouring back into the city. The Beijing-Tibet, Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao, Beijing-Chengde and Beijing-Shijiazhuang highways will see highly condensed traffic flows and may witness congestions," the bureau said on Tuesday.

The bureau also predicted a surge in air and rail passengers returning to the capital on Wednesday and asked commuters to pay attention to the latest traffic information to avoid jams.

In Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, travelers began to return home on Oct 5, causing traffic jams in many areas.

Local media said that this year, many local people chose to start and end their trips earlier to avoid crowds.