China shakes off virus in Golden Week

Sights, rides packed as yearly travel rush sees domestic trips hitting 79% of last year's level

Travellers at the Hangzhou Railway Station in China's eastern Zhejiang province, on the final day of the national Golden Week holiday on Thursday. This year's travel rush has been closely watched as a barometer of the economic recovery of China, whic
Travellers at the Hangzhou Railway Station in China's eastern Zhejiang province, on the final day of the national Golden Week holiday on Thursday. This year's travel rush has been closely watched as a barometer of the economic recovery of China, which reported the first coronavirus case in the world late last year. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Trains were packed, tourist attractions crowded and airports crammed - these were the scenes across China during its just-ended eight-day National Day holiday.

They were an unusual sight in a world gripped by the coronavirus pandemic, where many countries are still recording mounting infections and contemplating renewed lockdowns.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 10, 2020, with the headline China shakes off virus in Golden Week. Subscribe