Shanghai Daily
Patience and an umbrella may be the two most important tools for coping with
the National Day Holiday in Shanghai.
Rain is forecast for Sunday's start of the week-long break, and the drizzle
is expected to continue into Monday, with clouds on tap for the rest of the
period.
Top temperatures during the "golden week" will range from 24 to 26 degrees
Celsius with lows around 21 degrees, according to the Shanghai Meteorological
Bureau.
An even temper may help in dealing with the estimated 7.5 million people who
will travel by train to and from Shanghai during the National Day celebration.
The Shanghai Railway Administration, which runs train services in Shanghai
and Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, said about 480,000 passengers boarded
coaches on Thursday, the first day of the holiday travel rush, up 7.8 percent
from the same period last year.
The administration said travelers should peak today, when many residents
begin their trips out of town.
Extra trains and ticket offices will help deal with the heavy flow, officials
said.
For those who remain in town, health and banking services will be available
but limited.
The Shanghai Health Bureau said hospitals will provide out-patient services
only on Thursday and Friday during the holiday period. Emergency services will
be available at all times.
Shanghai banks will keep outlets open in major shopping and residential
areas.
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's biggest lender,
will operate 200-plus outlets and more than 200 24-hour self-service sites
during the holiday.
The Bank of China, the second-biggest lender, will open more than 60 outlets
from Sunday to Tuesday, mainly in shopping areas such as Nanjing Road and
Huaihai Road. BOC will boost the figure to 100 from Wednesday to Saturday.
China Construction Bank will close some of its outlets in office areas while
keeping open those catering to shopping and daily needs.
Post offices will remain open during the period.
An online survey by headhunter Zhaopin.com indicated that 37 percent of
respondents will remain at home during the holiday. Nearly 25 percent planned to
travel.
About three-quarters will set aside a holiday spending budget of 1,000 yuan
(US$125) or less.