Chinese travellers flock along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Mall, one of Shanghai's popular tourist destinations October 6, 2004. Millions of holidaymakers are flocking to China's big cities during their 7-day National Day holiday.

According to the municipal commerce bureau, Beijingers spent 498 million yuan (US$60.2 million) on shopping in the first six days of the weeklong vacation, up 6 percent from the same period last year.

The holiday saw millions of Chinese on the move, shopping, dining and traveling in pleasant compliance with the government's plan to boost domestic consumption.

Consumption of food alone reached new heights in the capital city. At 29 selected restaurant enterprises operating 132 restaurants in Beijing, total turnover reached 34.3 million yuan (US$4.2 million) in the first six days of the holiday, an increase of 7.2 percent year-on-year.

Preliminary figures indicate that cravings for traditional treats such as Beijing roast duck rose, while business slipped at fast-food outlets like McDonald’s and at high-end restaurants offering such delicacies as shark fins.

A single outlet of the well-known Quanjude Beijing roast duck chain reported a total of 5,287 ducks sold on October 2, setting a daily record for the company, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Xinhua also reported that an incomplete survey of the hospitality industry indicates that 27 major tourist hotels throughout the country had occupancy rates exceeding 80 percent. Another 13 had occupancy rates of better than 90 percent.

The second wave of holiday traffic began on Tuesday as people began flocking home to get back to work on Friday. Railway ticket booths were swamped as thousands of people tried to book return seats.

More than 500,000 passengers are estimated to have passed through Beijing railway stations on Wednesday. Train tickets were sold out on major intercity travel routes on Thursday.

The local railway bureau added 14 temporary trains on Wednesday to ease the pressure.

Sources with the bureau said although the tickets were hard to get, the railway system was capable of meeting traffic demands, the Beijing Evening News reported.

All local railway departments across the country had been directed to prepare by either adding more special trains or cracking down on ticket scalpers to meet the second spike in holiday traffic.

Unfortunately, the number of roadway traffic accidents rose. Six serious traffic accidents -- those in which three or more people are killed -- resulting in 24 deaths have been reported nationwide.

The ministry warned drivers to abide by traffic laws, avoid driving if tired and control speeds in heavy traffic.

On Friday, the first day back at work, doctors at the emergency department of Beijing’s No. 301 Hospital warned people to be aware of the risks posed by cardiovascular disease in the post-holiday period.

Studies indicate that the cardiovascular disease mortality rate in the periods immediately following holidays is 20 percent higher than any other time of the year, the Beijing Evening News reported.

Doctors advise residents to reduce their fat intake, drink less alcohol and exercise regularly to prevent heart disease.

(China Daily, China.org.cn October 8, 2004)