Did you know that China’s Labour Day holiday is not just a one-day affair, but a five-day national celebration? Commonly known as the May Day holidays, it is one of the country’s longest and most widely observed public breaks.

Experiencing this extended holiday for the first time, I witnessed how millions across China seized the opportunity to relax, travel to other regions or countries, and immerse themselves in cultural festivities.

In Beijing, public parks were filled with people playing traditional music, while iconic tourist destinations such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City were teeming with both domestic and international visitors. Transportation hubs like railway stations and airports were bustling with crowds, as many headed off to explore the country’s rich array of attractions.

The sheer volume of people was astounding – comparable to the crowds seen during Bazaar Ramadhan or Thaipusam in Malaysia, though on an even greater scale, given China’s vast population.

Held from May 1 to 5, the May Day holidays have become a major driver of China’s domestic tourism and hospitality sectors. From the historic alleys of Beijing to the breathtaking landscapes of other provinces, popular destinations reported record-high visitor numbers.

I visited the Temple of Heaven in Dongcheng on the second day of the holiday, only to find that tickets had already sold out for several days in advance – a situation mirrored at many other attractions.

Meanwhile, younger crowds gravitated toward Sanlitun, a popular entertainment district in Beijing known for its chic restaurants, vibrant nightlife, trendy cafés and upscale open-air shopping complexes.

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151 Million Passenger Trips in Eight Days

According to the China State Railway Group, the national railway network handled a staggering 151 million passenger trips between April 29 and May 6, reflecting a 10.6 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

On May 1 alone, the network operated 13,752 train services, marking the highest single-day passenger volume in its history.

Data from the Ministry of Transport indicated that nationwide cross-regional passenger traffic surpassed 1.46 billion trips from May 1 to 5. Meanwhile, figures from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism revealed that tourism spending during the period reached 180.3 billion yuan (about US$25 billion), representing an eight per cent year-on-year increase.

These numbers speak volumes about the scale of participation – and the boost in consumer sentiment. It’s clear that this annual holiday is not only a time for leisure and cultural celebration, but also a vital component of China’s domestic economic engine.

Overall, it was a fascinating experience to observe first-hand how national holidays in China serve as a catalyst for consumer activity and highlight the government’s emphasis on stimulating domestic consumption to ensure sustained economic growth and stability.

-- BERNAMA

Kisho Kumari Sucedaram is a journalist with BERNAMA.