China's Golden Week saw 710 million people hit the road, rail and skies
China's Golden Week saw 710 million people hit the road, rail and skies
Relaxnews (AFP) (reported by MSN), October 11 2017
© Provided by AFPRelaxNews Golden Week in China
China's Golden Week mobilized 710 million Chinese holidaymakers to make a trip this year, setting new records in rail trips and spending on overseas tour packages.
The statistics are in following a bumper year for China's Golden Week, which was prolonged by an eighth day from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, as it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Statistics from the China National Tourism Administration show that travel rose 12 percent this year, up from 663 million for the first seven days of 2016, reports China Daily .
That compares to 428 million five years ago.
New records were also set for rail travel, with more than 110 million passengers boarding a train over the holidays.
In total, Chinese holidaymakers spent about $88 billion in tourism.
A breakdown of holiday trends provided by Xinhua News revealed that domestic tourism within China doubled, while overseas travel increased 56 percent.
The numbers also point to an emerging shift away from consumptive travel -- the quest for luxury goods -- towards personalized and cultural experiences.
Chinese travelers to France, for instance, are choosing villages and museums over traditional tourist sites, while those traveling to the US are attending shows and basketball games.
Meanwhile, per capita spending on high-quality overseas tour packages also reached a new high, surpassing US $759.
A report released last week by Chinese travel company Ctrip, predicted that Thailand would be the top international destination for Chinese travelers during Golden Week, followed by Japan and Singapore.
Conspicuously absent was South Korea, where visits were expected to plunge 70 percent during Golden Week following the political spat between the two countries and a ban on Chinese tour packages to the neighboring country.
Before the ban, South Korea was a top destination or Chinese travelers.
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The increased travel is indicative of the growing middle and upper-middle classes in China, which is becoming very Capitalistic. We did not travel this year for a few reasons, but I particularly love Mid-Autumn Festival because the "moon cakes" that are traditionally eaten then vbare delicious and I love them. They have different fillings, and are always sweet. (They are usually 2 to 3 inches in diameter.)
As for that huge crowd you see on The Great Wall, I climbed it with a group at Christmastime, and although it was cold, it was not crowded, as you can see in this photo that was taken at the time. I am on the left in the back row.
It is said that you do not know China unless you have done these three things: climbed The Great Wall, eaten Peking Duck, and watched the Peking Opera. I've done all three, and a lot more.
I have done of the three-- I've eaten Peking Duck. (More than once actually).
But of course I didn't do that in China-- I did it in Chinese restaurants in the U.S.
There are restaurants throughout China that serve Peking Duck, and I have eaten it in a few different cities, but the only place where it was unbelievably delicious, and the skin perfectly seasoned and crispy, was at a centuries old restaurant in Beijing that had always been roasting ducks over log fires. The duck is sliced beside you at your table as you see in this photo of me at that authentic old restaurant:
What is Golden Week about-- what does it celebrate?
National Day is October 1st of every year to celebrate the founding of the People's Republic of China (since 1949). It is a 7 day holiday, which this year coincided with Mid-Autumn Festival, which is determined on the lunar calendar, so the holiday was extended one more day to 8 days. Learn about Mid-Autumn Fesival here:
My favorite Chinese dishes are old fashioned Pork Chow Mein and Shrimp Fried Rice with crispy noodles. There are no longer places where you can find the original Chinese Pork Chow Mein any more, everything now has gone the new wave Chinese.
But, there is still one place I know that still makes it, a small place called The Pekin Cafe on University Ave in San Diego CA. It has also moved into the new wave Chinese, but, they still server the old Fashioned Chinese as well. It is a family owned place and have been in business since the 1930's.
When I lived in San Diego for many years it was one my 'Go To' restaurants several times a year. But, now that I have moved much further away I am no longer able to enjoy their food.
Their Peking Duck was also delicious. Although I am not that fond of duck, I did enjoy their cooking.
I also like Thai and some Japanese dishes. The Thai Flaming Chicken is super, and there is a family Thai cafe not to far away from me now. So now I can trade off between Chinese from the nearby Chinese cafe, and the Thai cafe.
I don't know anything about "New Wave" Chinese cuisine, but I can tell you that if you were to ask in a restaurant in China for Pork Chow Mein or Shrimp Fried Rice, they wouldn't know what you were talking about. Those are authentic North American neo-Chinese dishes. I'm not criticizing them, because when I was in Canada I liked them myself, and always enjoyed Dim Sum for Sunday lunch.
I have eaten authenticate Chinese cooking on several occasions, as a Friend of mine had a Son who married a Chinese girl from Hong King. As she was the youngest of the family and the last to marry, she wanted to bring her Mother with her to the US to live with her and her husband. She and her daughter were excellent cooks, and I was invited several times to dinner at my Friends house where the two ladies did the cooking. I was happy to help with the preparations and learn some of the many dishes they prepared. All was truly delicious, and granted, much of it did not taste like Americanized Chinese food that we get here in the US.
And indeed, when I mentioned Pork Chow Mein and Shrimp Friend rice they looked at me questioningly. And their Dum Sum was truly delicious. I really do miss their fine cooking. So I now have to be satisfied with the American style Chinese cooking. And the little hole in the wall eatery and buffet near me really does have great Chinese food. The best I've tasted in many years. So what I can't cook here at home, I go there for the other things I like.
Nowww........I'm hungry for Chinese....(drool)