China marks National Day with joy and optimism

Around 120,000 people gathered in Beijing’s Tian’anmen Square on Tuesday morning, braving the crisp autumn air to witness the national flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. .

The crowd watched in awe as the flag rose. An 18-meter-tall flower basket, the centerpiece of the newly installed floral displays, stood in the public square, enhancing the festive atmosphere. “As I stood in Tian’anmen Square, looking at the bright red national flag, I felt deeply honored,” said Yao Chengming, a student at Beijing Forestry University after attending the ceremony.

“Our lives are getting better, and watching the flag-raising ceremony filled me with emotion,” said Yi Zaiquan, 70, who along with his wife traveled from central China’s Hubei Province to Beijing on Monday. on Friday and arrived at Tian’anmen Square at midnight to secure his spot.

Across the country, National Day is celebrated with a variety of activities, from festive events and exhibition visits to travel.

In east China’s Zhejiang Province, the rippling green waters and picturesque mountains of Yanglou Village in the city of Huzhou are captivating visitors from across the country. After strolling along the 500-meter-long reed plant walkway in Yanglou on Tuesday, Yang Tongtong, a tourist from Shanghai, posted on social media: “The scenery around Taihu Lake is like a painting, absolutely photogenic and worth totally enjoyed the trip!”

This year’s National Day “golden week” holiday runs from October 1st to October 7th. While many in China enjoy a week of travel and leisure, others work diligently to ensure a smooth experience for travelers. Wang Baihui, a train conductor, is among those committed to her duties. At 8:40 am, when the train arrived at Shenyang North Station in northeast China’s Liaoning Province, she efficiently guided passengers to board in an orderly manner.

“Everyone wants to spend the holidays with their family, but our duty demands that we set aside our personal lives for the greater good. It’s a feeling of ‘happy solitude’ in its own way,” Wang said.

China is expected to have 175 million rail trips during the 10-day peak travel period, which runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8, according to the China State Railway Group.