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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Do cities basically "shut down" for the week during CNY?
So I'm not actually going anywhere for my first CNY.
I've noticed Beijing becoming significantly less crowded during the last few days, fewer taxis/cars and a fewer storefronts open. How extreme does this get and how long does it last?
Will I be able to find a taxi?
Will the local markets and restaurants be open?
Will major markets and restaurants be open?
Will malls, movie theaters etc be open?
Do I need to stock up on 2 weeks worth of food tonight, or should I be able to find stuff during the next week? Do places that cater to foreigners (bars, restaurants) stay open normally? I'm excited that there's fewer people, but it's gonna suck if there's nothing to do.
What's it like in your city?
Beijing does turn into a ghost town. Don't expect anything to be open on the 9th or even 10th but I'm sure major supermarkets will open again after the main celebrations. Little restaurants and shops might close for anything from one to 3 weeks. Wet markets will most likely be closed for about a week. Gyms and many other services also tend to observe the Chinese national calendar so expect them to be shut from Feb 9-15. I think it's a good idea to stock up on some groceries for this weekend just in case. I heard a few Western bars and restaurants will stay open so you're definitely not going to starve to death...but you know, it's always good to have some reserves at home.
Mr_spoon:
I confirm, every year I went to bars during the CNY. Only a very few actually close, apparently.
The city does become quieter (enjoy the only time of the year where traffic jams are scarce), a lot of shops/restaurants close, but there's still a lot that remain opened.
It's the best time of the year in Beijing. Seriously.
Last year we were in Changsha during the main days of CNY. It was possible to find open stores, most things were closed though. I did have a cup of coffee at a McDonalds where pretty much all shops around it where closed.
Here in Zhuhai now, the activity level is dropping, our local market is probably is halfway closed.
There will be plenty of things to do if the city is deserted, You can go out an enjoy the city without all the noise etc. Give you a new view on it.
Scandinavian:
by the way, not sure if there are laws around it, but employees in supermarkets expect a hefty overpay to work during CNY (3 times normal or so)
Scandinavian:
there is an abundance of newly built apartments that people have bought as investments and are now renting out at lover and lover cost.
....and a visa run to Hong Kong is just a 60 min ferry trip away
Last three years in Nanning all the offices were shut, but all the restaurants, cafe's noodle shops were open all the way through. The supermarkets closed for 3 days (ish) and some of the really small shops closed for the duration but mostly it was a normal city only without the mayhem and traffic.
Basically, commercial activities near normal, business activities closed, government goes AWOL for a month or more.
1. You'll be able to find a taxi, but it's not going to be easy.
2. Most of the local markets and restaurants are going to be closed. But usually big supermarkets like WalMart, Carrefour, etc., open after 3-4 days.
Fast food restaurants don't close (at least if you're in a major city), so that fried chicken or that burger will always be there.
And since you're in BJ, the 7-eleven's should be open.
3. Not sure about the malls and cinemas though... Haven't visited the malls during the Chinese New Year.
brisguy:
Taxis can be hard to find and if you do find one some dont always follow the meter.
In my 7 years here I have seen that the country shuts down in an effort to get as many people as possible to uncomfortably travel unbelievable distances so that they can watch TV, regift stuff and eat dumplings.
I agree with what everyone else is saying. This is a truly magical time of year though, especially if you want to go on a nice bike ride around your city and not worry about getting hit by a car (smog is another story).
No cities won't' shut down....take for instance Mcdonalds...if they say they will be open 24/7 365 days a year than that's what it means...also some cab drivers still work so it won't be hard to find a cab....busses still run like normal and so do the subway....
Pretty much. Supermarkets and some restaurants open some days. Public transport should run... (ed) just thought about the date and realised what a tard I am for posting six months late.
Don't worry MissA I do that all the time - got your back!
CNY is exactly the same as Christmas. Leading up to it people will put up decorations in their homes, stock up on everything, buy gifts for people, and generally there'll be a festive feeling. Then people disappear from work as they head back to their hometowns early. By the time the festival starts you have a solid week of drinking and eating (assuming you have a local significant other and so are partaking in the festivities). There really is nothing else to do though, even the roads are empty. So that means the other stuff holds true too - just like Christmas it can be an extremely lonely time of year if you're on your own. My advice is that if you don't have anything to do you should get the hell out of dodge, travel, do something fun.