what touristy area I should MOST try to avoid during may 1-5
i'm planning a long trip (like 6-7 weeks) to china that's coming up and plan on visiting shanghai, beijing, xi'an, chengdu, cruise from chongqing to yichang, zhangjiajie, guilin and yunnan area. I'll definitely be in china during the may 1-5 holiday which i hear makes places very unpleasantly crowded. On the places I have listed, which ones would you say are very bad to visit during that holiday and which ones would be better? Any advice is appreciated
The May 1-5 period in China coincides with the Labor Day Golden Week, one of the busiest national holidays. Most major tourist sites become extremely crowded, transportation is busier than usual, and prices for accommodations and travel may surge. For your planned itinerary, here’s a detailed assessment:
Highly crowded and best to avoid if possible during May 1-5:
- Beijing: Attractions like the Forbidden City, Great Wall (especially Badaling), and Temple of Heaven will be extremely crowded. Expect long lines, large crowds, and limited seating at restaurants near tourist areas.
- Shanghai: Popular areas like The Bund, Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, and Disneyland Shanghai will be packed. Public transport, especially metro lines to tourist spots, will be very busy.
- Xi’an: The Terracotta Army site will see very large crowds. City walls and Muslim Quarter may be congested as domestic travelers flood historical cities.
- Chengdu: Giant Panda Base will be overrun with tourists, and transport to nearby attractions can be challenging. City itself may be crowded around public parks.
- Chongqing to Yichang Cruise: Cruise services may have limited availability and higher prices due to domestic holiday travelers. Booking in advance is essential.
Moderately crowded but manageable with careful planning:
- Zhangjiajie: The scenic areas will be busy, but early morning visits and pre-booked tickets can help avoid the worst crowds.
- Guilin: Popular areas like Li River cruises and Yangshuo can be crowded. Consider doing river cruises very early in the morning.
Likely less crowded and better options during this holiday:
- Yunnan region: Destinations such as Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La are less affected by the national holiday crowds, especially if you explore slightly off-main routes or smaller towns.
Additional advice:
- Book all accommodations, flights, and train tickets well in advance for the Golden Week.
- Try to visit the busiest sites early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak crowds.
- Consider using secondary entrances, less popular trails, or alternative attractions to avoid the heaviest crowds.
- Stay flexible with your itinerary and allow extra time for travel and delays during this holiday period.
In summary, major cities and iconic tourist sites like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and the cruise along the Yangtze River will be extremely busy during May 1-5. Zhangjiajie and Guilin are manageable with planning, while Yunnan offers the best chance to enjoy attractions with fewer crowds.
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